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V 


I)  E  A_  T  H 


OF 


PBIT  BllH  ni. 


bi?.ie:p   skiejtch: 


OP 


HIS  LIFE   AND   LABORS. 


FUNERAL   CEREMONIES, 


WITH 


FULL    REPORT    OF    THE    ADDRESSES. 


RESOLUTIONS    OF    RESPECT,    Etc. 


SALT    LAKE    CITY,    UTAH: 

I'HINTKI}    AT    THK    DESEIJKT    >'EWS    STEAM    PRIN'l  ING    ESTABLTSIIMK>T. 


M 


'(^M'^'C^^f^  -^^-^^Mm^y 


^ 


^ 


OF  THE 

DEATH  OF  PREST.  BBIMAM  YOUNG 

ANB  ACCOUNT  OF 

THE  FUNERAL  CEREMONIES. 


[From  the  Deseret  Evening  News,  August  29,  1877.] 
DEATH    OF    PRESIDENT    BRIGHAM    YOUNa. 


At  four  o'clock  this  afternoon,  President  Brigham  Young  departed 
this  life,  surrounded  by  his  family  and  intimate  friends.  This  announce- 
ment will  thrill  the  whole  Territory  with  grief.  We  feel  the  weight  of 
this  great  loss  to  the  world,  and  cannot  at  this  moment  express  in  the 
faintest  degree,  our  deep  sense  of  the  void  occasioned  by  his  departure. 
He  was  a  great  man  in  every  sense  of  the  term.  And  he  has  left  a 
mark  upon  the  age  which  the  future  will  never  efface,  but  which  will 
grow  brighter  and  broader  as  the  man,  his  deeds  and  his  sentiments  be- 
come better  known  and  appreciated. 

To  the  Latter-day  Saints  he  has  been  for  more  than  thirty-three 
years  a  counselor,  a  father,  a  friend,  a  guide,  and  a  tower  of  strength.  To 
all  mankind  he  has  been  a  prophet  and  a  benefactor  so  far  as  they  would 
accepl,  his  advice  and  receive  of  his  teachings. 

He  has,  under  God,  rescued  thousands  from  poverty  and  raised  them 
to  independence,  opened  the  deserts  of  these  mountains  to  colonization 
preached  the  gospel  of  salvation  to  many  nations,  declared  the  counsel  of 
heaven  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth,  prepared  the  way  in  the  Temples  of 
God  for  the  redemption  of  hosts  of  the  dead,  organized  and  consolidated 
the  order  of  the  everlasting  Priesthood,  and,  having  finished  his  work  on 
earth,  gone  into  the  spirit  world  to  join  with  Joseph,  Hyrum,  Willard, 
Jedediah,  Heber,  George  A.  and  other  great  and  glorious  servants  of  the 
Lord,  to  continue  the  divine  work  they  all  labored  for  on  earth. 

We  mourn  his  departure.  But  they  rejoice  in  great  gain.  If  a 
mighty  man  has  left  us  in  grief,  a  mightier  spirit  is  received  among  them 
■with  welcomings  and  gladness.     For,  his  freed  soul,  no  longer  clogged 


I  OBSEQUIES  OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG. 

with  the  cares  and  pains  of  fading  mortality,  will  wield  a  potent  influ-- 
ence  behind  the  veil. 

President  Brigham  Young  was  born  June  1st,  1801,  at  Whitingham, 
Windham  County,  Vermont.  He  was  consequently  aged  76  years,  2 
months  and  28  days.  We  have  neither  time  nor  space  at  this  late  hour 
to  give  any  lengthy  account  of  his  life  and  career,  but  reserve  further  re- 
marks for  another  occasion.  ' 

We  join  with  the  Latter-day  Saints  throughout  the  world  in  deep 
sorrow  for  the  loss  of  our  President,  one  of  earth's  greatest  and  noblest 
minds,  but,  bearing  in  mind  that  the  Father  of  all  knoweth  what  is  best, 
we  submit  to  the  divine  decree  and  say,  "  the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done."" 


[From  the  Deseret  Evening  News,  Aug.  30,  1877.] 
OBITUARY. 


The  tidings  of  the  death  of  President  Brigham  Young,  announced  in 
last  evening's  Deseret  News,  were  telegraphed  to  all  parts,  of  the 
Union.  The  leading  papers  of  the  United  States  have  each  published  an 
obituary  notice,  the  cable  has  flashed  the  word  to  Europe,  and  all  parts 
of  the  civilized  world  have  been  stirred  to  their  depths  by  the  sad  news. 
The  name  of  Brigham  Young  is  familiar  all  over  the  globe.  His  great- 
ness is  universally  acknowledged,  but  his  goodness  is  known  only  to  a 
few. 

The  marks  of  his  genius  are  stamped  on  the  history  and  travels  of 
the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints,  on  the  city  he  loved  so 
well,  and  on  the  towns,  farms,  orchards,  canals,  highways,  railroads,  tele- 
graphs, private  and  public  buildings,  and  the  thousand  and  one  witnesses 
to  his  guiding  hand  and  counseling  voice  over  five  hundred  miles  of 
country  redeemed  .from  a  desert.  They  have  uttered  his  fame  with  a 
voice  that  has  penetrated  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth. 

But  his  goodness,  appreciation  of  the  truth,  love  for  that  which  is 
pure  and  right ;  detestation  of  vice  and  iniquity ;  desires  for  the  welfare  of 
the  Latter-day  Saints,  spiritual  and  temporal ;  regard  for  the  benefit  of 
,.the  whole  human  race,  living  and  dead ;  his  spirituality,  refined  taste, 
earnest  faith  and  devotion  to  God ;  and  his  inspirational,  prophetic,  and 
soul-winning  qualities  are  known  but  to  the  people  who  have  been  gath- 
ered from  all  parts  of  the  earth  under  his  administration,  and  fully  un- 
derstood and  appreciated  only  by  those  who  were  intimately  acquainted 
with  him. 

The  subject  of  this  brief  sketch  was  born  in  Whitingham,  Windham 
County,  Vermont,  June  1,  1801. 


OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YQUNG.  3 

His  father,  John  Young,  was  born  March  7,  1763,  in  Hopkinton, 
Middlesex  County,  Massachusetts.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  enlisted  in 
the  American  Revolutionary  Army,  and  served  under  General  Washing- 
ton. He  was  in  three  campaigns  in  his  native  State  and  in  New  Jersey. 
In  1785  he  married  Nabby  Howe,  daughter  of  Phinehas  and  Susannah 
Howe,  who  bore  him  five  sons  and  six  daughters.  He  moved  to  Vermont 
in  January,  1801,  and  remained  there  three  years,  opening  new  farms. 

His  grandfather,  Joseph  Young,  was  a  physician  and  surgeon  in  the 
French  and  Indian  war,  and  was  killed  by  the  falling  of  a  pole  from  a 
fence,  in  1769. 

His  parents  movecj  from  Vermont  to  Sherburne,  Chenango  County, 
New  York,  in  1804,  where,  as  he  grew  in  years,  he  assisted  in  the  arduous 
labors  incident  to  opening  farms  in  a  heavily  timbered  region,  enduring  the 
privations  and  hardships  common  to  forming  new  settlements  at  that 
period,  and  was  restricted  by  circumstances  to  only  eleven  days'  schooling. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen,  by  his  fathers'  permission,  he  began  engaging 
in  business  for  himself  Though  trained  by  his  parents,  who  were  Metho- 
dists, to  lead  a  strictly  moral  life,  he  made  no  profession  of  religion  until 
he  was  in  his  twenty-second  year,  when  he  joined  that  body. 

October  8,  1824,  he  married  Miriam  Works,  and  resided  in  Cayuga 
County,  New  York,  until  the  spring  of  1829,  following  the  occupation  of 
carpenter,  joiner,  painter  and  glazier,  when  he  moved  to  Mendon,  M^onroe 
County,  New  York.  In  the  spring  of  1830  he  first  saw  the  Book  of 
Mormon,  which  was  brought  there  by  Samuel  H.  Smith.  In  the  fall  of 
1831  Elders  Alpheus  Giffbrd,  Elial  Strong  and  others  came  to  that  place 
to  preach  the  gospel  as  taught  by  Joseph  Smith.  He  heard  and  believed, 
and  after  careful  and  prayerful  reflection  upon  the  principles  revealed  in 
the  Book  of-  Mormon,  he  was  baptized  April  14,  1832,  a  member  of  the 
religious  organization  now  known  as  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Lat- 
ter-day Saints,  and  ordained  an  Elder,  immediately  after  confirmation, 
Eleazer  Miller  officiating  in  each  instance.  Three  weeks  after,  his  wife 
was  also  baptized.  During  the  following  summer  he  preached  the  gospel 
in  the  regions  adjacent  to  Mendon,  baptizing  many  and  organizing 
branches.  His  wife  died  September  8,  1832,  leaving  him  two  little  girls, 
one  two  years  and  the  other  seven  years  of  age.  In  the  fall  of  1832  he 
visited  Kirtland,  Ohio,  in  company  with  Heber  C.  Kimball  and  his 
brother  Joseph  Young  and  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  Prophet  Joseph 
Smith.  During  the  evening  of  the  day  they  first  met,  Joseph  called  up- 
on Brother  Brigham  to  pray.  While  doing  so  he  spoke  in  tongues.  The 
Prophet  declared  that  he  spoke  in  the  pure  Adamic  language,  and  after 
be  had  left  the  room  Joseph  said,  "  The  time  will  come  when  Brother  Brig- 
bam  Young  wiU  preside  over  this  Church." 

In  company  with  his  brother  Joseph  he  spent  a  portion  of  the  win- 


4  OBSEQUIES  OP   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG. 

ter  of  1832-3  in  and  around  West  Laboro,  Canada,  preaching,  baptiz- 
ing and  organizing  branches.  He  spent  most  of  the  spring  and  summer 
of  1833  in  missionary  labors  in  Canada  and  northern  New  York.  In 
July  he  conducted  a  small  company  of  Saints  to  Kirtland,  moved  his 
family  there  in  the  fall,  and  labored  at  his  trade,  preaching  as  opportuni- 
ty offered. 

In  February  1833  he  married  Mary  Ann  Angel,  who  took  charge 
of  his  children  and  kept  house  for  him  faithfully. 

On  the  5th  of  May,  1834,  he  started  for  Missouri,  in  Zion's  Camp,  in 
which  he  was  captain  of  ten ;  arrived  in  Clay  County  on  the  23d  of  June, 
returned  to  Kirtland  in  August,  having  performed  a  journey  of  2000 
miles  on  foot,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  the  year  in  finishing  the  print- 
ing office  and  school  room  and  laboring  on  the  Temple. 

He  was  selected  one  of  the  Quorum  of  the  Twelve  Apostles  on  the 
14th  of  February,  1835.  From  this  time  till  1837,  he  mostly  passed  the 
winter  in  Kirtland,  in  laboring  at  his  trade  and  upon  the  Temple,  and 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  time  in  traveling,  holding  Conferences,  preach- 
ing, and  regulating  and  organizing  Branches  in  the  East.  He  attended 
the  Hebrew  School  at  Kirtland  in  the  winter  of  1835-6,  and  from  Febru- 
ary 22nd  to  March  27th,  1836,  he  superintended  the  painting  and  finisb- 
ing'of  the  Temple.  He  attended  the  Solemn  Assembly  at  the  dedication 
and  received  his  blessings,  after  which  he  traveled  through  New  York, 
Vermont,  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island,  attended  Conference  at  Port- 
land, Maine,  returned  to  JK!irtland,  defended  (he  Prophet  Joseph  against 
accusers  and  apostates,  took  a  special  business  mission  to  the  Eastern 
States,  in  company  with  Dr.  Willard  Richards,  which  he  accomplished, 
and  returned. 

On  the  22nd  of  December,  1837  ,he  left  Kirtland,  on  his  way  to  Mis- 
souri, and  arrived  in  Far  West,  Caldwell  County,  on  the  14th  of  March, 
1838.  While  in  Missouri  he  purchased  land  and  improved  a  handsome 
farm,  labored  diligently  in  the  duties  of  his  Apostleship,  especially  in 
planning  for  and  assisting  the  'Saints  in  leaving  the  State  under  the  exter- 
minating order  of  Governor  Lilburn  W.  Boggs,  and  on  the  14th  of  Febru- 
ary, 1839,  moved  from  that  State  with  his  family,  leaving  all  his  landed 
and  nearly  all  his  personal  property.  During  this  journey  President 
Young  left  his  family  no  less  than  eleven  times  to  return  with  his  teams 
to  assist  in  bringing  up  the  poor  and  the  helpless.  He  tarried  a  few  weeks 
in  Atlas,  Pike  County,  Illinois ;  then  moved  to  Quincy,  where  he  effi- 
ciently continued  his  labors  in  furthering  the  removal  from  Missouri. 

On  the  18th  of  April  he  left  Quincy  for  Far  West  to  assist  with  a 
majority  of  the  Twelve  in  fulfilling  a  prophecy  given  by  the  Prophet 
Joseph  Smith,  July  8,  1838,  which  was  accomplished,  notwithstanding  the 
mob  had  said  that  that  revelation  should  not  be  fulfilled,  and  returned  to 


OBSEQUIES   OF   PKESIDENT   BRIGHAM  YOUNG.  5 

Quincy  on  the  2nd  of  May,  and  on  the  3rd  visited  Bros.  Joseph  and 
Hyrum  Smith,  his  first  interview  with  them  after  their  escape  from  their 
enemies. 

May  16th,  he  started  for  Commerce,  since  called  Nauvoo,  Hancock 
County,  Illinois,  and  on  the  23d,  moved  across  the  Mississippi  river  to 
Montrose,  Iowa,  opposite  Nauvoo,  and  resided  in  a  room  in  an  old  mili- 
tary barracks,  where  he  labored  assiduously,  so  far  as  his  health  would 
permit,  to  aid  the  Saints  in  making  their  new  settlement  at  Nauvoo,  until 
September  14th,  when  he  started  "  without  purse  or  scrip,"  on  a  mission 
to  England,  his  health  so  poor  that  he  was  unable,  without  assistance,  to 
go  thirty  rods  to  the  river,  leaviiag  his  wife  ill  and  feeble,  with  a  babe 
only  ten  days  old,  and  all  his  children  sick,  unable  to  wait  upon  each 
other.  After  considerable  hindrance  by  sickness  on  the  way,  and  much 
teaching  and  preaching,  he  sailed  from  New  York  on  the  9th  of  March, 
1840,  and  arrived  in  Liverpool,  England,  April  6th.  In  Preston,  on  the 
14th  of  April,  at  the  first  council  held  in  a  foreign  land  by  a  majority  of 
the  Quorum  of  the  Twelve  Apostles,  he  was  unanimously  chosen  Presi' 
dent  of  that  Quorum.  In  May  he  took  steps  for  selecting  the  hymns  and 
publishing  3,000  Hymn  Books,  5,000  copies  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and 
a  periodical  entitled  "  The  Latter-day  Saints  Millennial  Star."  He  or- 
ganized the  first  company  of  emigrating  Saints,  numbering  41,  who  sailed 
from  Liverpool,  June  6th.  His  faithful  and  diligent  labors  in  England 
in  behalf  of  the  Gospel  were  signally  blest.  In  the  short  space  of  a  year, 
between  7,000  and  8,000  persons  were  baptized  into  the  Church,  branches 
were  organized  in  all  the  principal  cities  of  the  land,  a  permanent  ship- 
ping agency  was  established  and  over  a  thousand  souls  emigrated.  On 
the  21st  of  April,  1841,  he  sailed  from  the  river  Mersey,  and  on  the  1st 
of  July,  arrived  in  Nauvoo,  and  was  cordially  welcomed  by  the  Prophet 
Joseph  Smith,  by  his  family  and  the  Saints. 

In  a  revelation  given  to  Joseph  Smith,  January  19th,  1841,  occurs 
the  following :  "  I  give  unto  you  my  servant,  Brigham  Young,  to  be  a 
president  over  the  Twelve  traveling  council,  which  Twelve  hold  the  keys 
to  open  up  the  authority  of  my  kingdom  upon  the  four  corners  of  the 
earth,  and  after  that  to  send  my  word  to  every  creature." 
,  July  10th;  the  Prophet  Joseph  requested  the  Twelve  to  take  the 
burthen  of  the  church  in  Nauvoo,  and  attend  to  selling  its  lands,  to  locat- 
ing and  advising  the  immigrating  Saints,  and  to  transact  other  business, 
which  request  President  Young  energetically  complied  with,  also  with  his 
duties  as  a  member  of  the  city  council,  to  which  he  was  elected  Septem- 
ber 2nd,  occupying  the  intervals  of  time  in  laboring  for  the  support  of 
himself  and  family,  until  July  7,  1843,  when  he  started  on  a  mission  to 
the  Eastern  States  preaching,  gathering  funds  for  aiding  the  building  of 
the  Temple  and  the  Nauvoo  House,  and  returned  on  the  22nd  of  October. 


6  OBSEQUIES   OP   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG. 

He  continued  his  labors  as  before,  was  often  in  council  with  Joseph  and 
the  Twelve,  preached  frequently  in  Nauvoo  and  the  neighboring  settle- 
ments, and  on  the  21st  of  May  again  went  on  a  mission  to  the  East> 
received  information   of  the  assassination  of  the  Prophets  Joseph  and 
Hyrum  Smith,  in  Carthage  Jail,  while  under  the  pledged  protection  of 
Thomas  Ford,  then  Governor  of  Illinois,  and  returned  to  Nauvoo  on  the 
6th  of  August.     On  the  8th,  at  a  meeting  of  all  the  authorities  of  the 
Church  in  Nauvoo,  the  Twelve  Apostles  were  sustained  as  the  Presiding 
Quorum  of  the  Church.     It  was  on  this  occasion  that  the  spirit  of  the 
departed  Joseph  rested  down  upon  Brigham  Young  in  so  powerful  a 
manner  as  to  convince  all  the  Saints  assembled  that  he  was  the  man  chosen 
to  lead  Israel.    It  was  a  critical  time.    Efforts  were  being  made  to  divide 
the  people,  and  one  of  the  late  Praphet's  counselors  claimed  authority  to 
preside  as  "  guardian  of  the  Church."     But  when  President  Young  step- 
ped forth  in  his  place  and  calling  at  the  head  of  the  Twelve,  the  whole 
assembly  heard,  as  they  thought,  the  voice,  saw  the  form   and  felt  thte 
spirit  and  influence  of  the   Prophet   Joseph.     And  even  non-members 
of  the  Church  were  startled,  and  expected  to  see  the  presence  as  well  as 
hear  the  voice  of  the  departed  Seer.     All  uncertainty  fled  from  that 
moment,  and  faith  and  union  banished  discord  and  defeated  vain  ambition. 
Amid  threats,  houseburnings,  plunderings,  whippings,  murders,  and 
the  fury  of  mob  violence,  he  stood  firm  in  the  steady  performance  of  the 
many  and  arduous  duties  devolved  upon  him,  in  caring  for  and  defend- 
ing the  rights  of  the  Saints,  planning  and  directing  the  organizations  and 
operations  preparatory  to  vacating  Nauvoo  and  forwarding  the  Temple 
to  completion,  and  laboring  therein  until  February,  1846,  when  he  cross- 
ed the  Mississippi  River  to  the  camp  of  the  emigrating  Saints,  a  few  miles 
west  of  Montrose,  Iowa,  and  in  March  began  with  them  a  toilsome  jour- 
ney in  quest  of  a  location  beyond  the  pale  of  bigoted  intolerance,  where 
he  would  be  free  to  worship  God  according  to  His  commandments. 

Having  established  two  settlements.  Garden  Grove  and  Mount 
Pisgah,  resting  and  recruiting  points  for  such  as  could  not  well  keep  pace 
and  for  others  who  would  follow;*  he  reached,  with  the  main  camp,  the 
Missouri  River,  near  Council  Bluffs,  in  July.  From  this  point,  at  the 
request  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States  he  sent  500  volunteers 
(the  "  Mormon  Battalion  ")  to  aid  in  the  war  with  Mexico,  who  raised  and 
sustained  the  flag  of  the  Union  in  Mexico  and  California  until  the  treaity 
of  Guadalupe-Hidalgo.  He  crossed  the  Missouri  and  camped  a  few  miles 
above  where  Omaha  has  since  been  built,  at  a  point  named  Winter  Quar- 
ters, since  called  Florence,  Nebraska,  and  laid  out  streets  and  blocks  up- 
on which  numerous  comfortable  log  houses  were  soon  erected ;  planned 
to  the  utmost  for  the  comfort  and  well-being  of  the  people  during  their 
sojourn  there ;  built  a  much-needed  grist  mill,  and  in  April,  1847,  with 


OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG.  7 

A  company  of  142  men,  who  elected  him  their  leader,  started  to  pioneer 
a  location  where  the  Saints  could  build  and  inhabit  in  peace,  and  on  the 
24th  of  July  arrived  where  now  stands  Salt  Lake  City,  and  unfurled  the 
^*  Stars  and  Stripes  "  on  Mexican  soil. 

He  at  once  took  steps  for  surveying  the  beautiful  city  site,. designa- 
ted the  blocks  around  which  houses  were  to  be  built,  joining  each  other, 
with  portholes  and  gates  until  the  people  should  be  strong  enough  to 
build  on  the  lots  in  safety ;. was  busily  engaged  in  directing  and  assisting 
in  the  daily  labors  and  visiting  neighboring  localities ;  and,  on  the  26th 
of  August,  started  on  his  return  to  Winter  Quarters,  where  he  arrived  on 
the  31st  of  October,  having  met  nearly  2,000  of  the  Saints  on  their  way 
to  Salt  Lake  City,  where  they  arrived  in  good  season.  ^ 

December  5th,"  1847,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  Church  by  t^^ 
unanimous  vote  of  the  Quorum  of  the  Twelve,  and  also,  on  the  27th,  by 
the  unanimous  vote  of  all  the  authorities  and  members  assembled  in  a 
.Conference  held  at  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  with  Heber  C.  Kimball  and 
Willard  Richards  as  his  Counselors.  On  the  26th  of  May,  1848,  he 
started  from  Winter  Quarters,  with  his  family,  for  Salt  Lake  City,  leav- 
ing his  houses,  mills  and  other  property  (this  being  the  fifth  time  he  had 
left  home  and  property  for  the  Gospel's  sake)  superintended  that  'season's 
emigration  of  over  2,000,  arrived  in  Salt  Lake  City,  September  20th,  and 
at  once  began  to  give  counsel  conducive  to  the  general  ^welfare.  At  a 
Conference  held  on  the  8th  of  October,  1848,  he  was  sustained  President 
of  the  Church  by  unanimous  vote. 

A  provisional  government  being  requisite  until  Congress  should 
otherwise  provide,  on  the  12th  of  March,  1849,  he  was  elected  Governor 
of  the  then  named  State  of  Deseret,  which  continued  until  February  3, 
1851,  when  he  took  the  oath  of  ofiice  as  Governor  of  the  Territory  of 
Utah,  Commander-in-chief  of  the  militia,  and  Superintendent^of  Indian 
Affairs,  to  which  positions  he  had  been  appointed  by  President  Millard 
Fillmore,  and  performed  the  duties  of  those  offices  with  signal  ability 
and  integrity,  until  the  arrival  of  his  successor.  Governor  Alfred  Cuni- 
ming,  in  the  spring  of  1858. 

During  the  thirty  years  past  in  which  he  has  resided  in  Utah,  he  has 
labored  indefatigably  for  the  welfare  of  all  who  love  truth,  liberty  and 
equal  rights ;  has  engaged  in  and  encouraged  agriculture,  the  erection  of 
mills,  and  factories,  the  manufacture  and  importation  of  machinery  an^ 
labor-saving  implements,  the  opening  of  roads  and  the  consti  uction  of 
bridges  and  public  edifices ;  has  pursued  a  conciliatory  policy  with  thp 
Indians,  wisely  deeming  it  not  only  cheaper  but  much  more  humane  to 
feed  than  to  fight  them ;,  has  instituted  the  Perpetual  Emigration  Fund 
for  gathering  the  poor,  by  which  thousands  upon  thousands  have  been 
brought  from  poverty  to  the  acquisition  of  pleasant  homes  and  the  cona- 


8  OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG. 

forts  of  life ;  has  successfully  completed  a  contract  to  grade  over  100 
miles  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  much  of  it  the  most  difficult  portion ; 
was  the  prime  mover  in  the  construction  of  the  Utah  Central  Railroad, 
also  of  the  Utah  Southern  Railroad ;  has  aided  in  building  the  Utah 
Northern  and  Utah  Western  narrow  guage  roads ;  has  introduced  and 
fostered  co-operation  in  all  branches  of  business,  as  the  plan  best  adapted 
to  equalize  the  benefits  of  trade ;  has  extended  telegraph  wires  to  most  of 
our  principal  towns  and  cities ;  has  promoted  the  spread  of  the  everlasting 
Gospel  among  the  nations,  and  the  gathering  of  the  honest  therefrom ; 
has  traveled  and  preached  year  after  year  in  the  settlements  of  the  Saints; 
liild  in  his  teachings,  acts  and  administrations  has  uniformly  pursued  a 
course  characteristic  of  an  able  and  upright  man  laboring  with  all  his  might 
for  the  happiness  of  mankind  and  the  prevalence  of  righteousness  upon 
the  earth. 

Like  all  great  men,  he  has  had  bitter  enemies.  No  man  has  been 
more  villified,  misrepresented  and  falsely  accused  than  Brigham  Young.. 
His  life  has  been  frequently  sought.  The  bullet  and  the  knife  of  the  as- 
sassin have  been  prepared  to  shed  his  heart's  blood,  and  plots  have  been 
illegalljr  laid  by  the  emissaries  of  the  law  to  rob,  imprison,  and  destroy 
him.  But  the  hand  of  the  Lord  has  delivered  him  on  every  occasion,  and 
the  calmness  and  serenity  with  which  he  has  invariably  looked  upon  cal- 
iimny  and  persecution,  has  stamped  him  as  one  of  the  largest  minded  men 
of  the  century.    « 

He  had  a  strong  desire  to  live  to  dedicate  a  Temple  to  the  Most 
High  God  in  these  mountains,  set  in  order  the  Priesthood  and  organize 
the  various  Slakes  of  Zion  according  to  the  pattern  revealed  from  heaven. 
These  privileges  were  granted  to  him.  He  saw  the  Temple  at  St.  George 
fully  dedicated  and  prepared  for  the  administration  of  the  ordinances  for 
the  living  and  the  dead.  He  arranged  and  explained  the  duties  of  the 
various  quorums  of  the  priesthood.  And  last  Sunday  the  organization 
of  the  different  Stakes  of  Zion  was  completed.  His  desire  has  been  ful- 
filled, and  now  he  has  departed. 

For  some  time  past  President  Young  had  acutely  suffered  occasion- 
ally from  ailments  which  assisted  in  weakening  his  system,  but  his  strong 
vitality,  powerful  will  and  unswerving  faith  overcame  the  effects  to  a 
^eat  extent.  Last  Thursday  he  was  seized  with  an  inclination  to  vomit. 
However,  he  attended  to  business  as  usual,  and  in  the  evening  spoke  at  a 
priesthood  meeting  in  the  Council  House  with  great  force  and  energy. 
During  the  night  and  following  day  his  malady  increased  and  cholera 
morbus  set  in,  supplemented  by  inflammation  of  the  bowels  on  Saturday, 
to  which  disease  he  succumbed.  He  was  attended  through  his  sickness 
by  Drs.  Seymour  B.  Young,  W.  F.  Anderson  and  the  Benedict  Brothers. 
The  ordinance  of  the  Church  for  the  benefit  of,  the  sick  was  repeatedly 


OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG.  3 

administered  to  him.     His  family  were  summoned,  as  danger  increased, 
and  his  last  moments  were  cheered  by  their  presence. 

When  asked  concerning  his  own  desires  he  replied  he  was  in  the 
hands  of  the  Lord  and  was  willing  to  live  or  die  as  He  decreed. 

Among  President  Young's  last  expressions  were  his  thankfulness  at 
being  so  well  cared  for  and  having  his  family  near  him  to  wait  upon  and 
administer  to  him.  He  said  "  You  are  all  so  good."  The  last  words  he 
uttered  that  were  distinctly  understood  were,  "  Joseph,  Joseph,  Joseph 
Jbseph."  Other  remarks  relating  to  Joseph  were  expressed,  but  in  a 
manner  that  was  not  comprehended. 

At  four  o'clock  yesterday,  he  departed  in  peace  to  join  the  Prophet 
Joseph,  to  the  continuation  of  whose  work  he  devoted  hie  life,  and  other 
noble  servants  of  God  who  have  lived  and  died  for  the  truth. 

President  Young  is  the  head  of  a  numerous  family,  and  has  laid  the 
foundation  of  a  kingdom  and  a  glory  which  will  increase  throughout 
eternity.  He  Was  the  father  of  fifty-six  children.  He  has  left  seventeen 
wives,  sixteen  sons,  and  twenty-eight  daughters  to  follow  in  his  footsteps 
and  perpetuate  his  name  and  greatness  in  the  earth.  His  family  were 
devoted  to  him  and  he  to  them,  and  the  deep  affection  of  all  for  the  hus- 
band and  father,  speaks  louder  than  any  words  of  praise  in  evidence  of 
his  kindness,  goodness  and  paternal  care. 

We  bid  him  farewell  with  sorrow  too  deep  for  words.  But  in  the 
light  of  his  teachings  we  look  forward  to  a  joyful  meeting  in  the  resurrec- 
tion of  the  just,  when  the  ties  severed  by  the  Destroyer  shall  be  joined 
eternally  by  Him  who  has  conquered  Death,  and  holds  the  keys  of  life 
and  immortality. 

President  Young  has  left  instructions  concerning  the  disposition  of 
his  remains  which  will  be  read  at  the  funeral  services  next  Sunday  in  the 
New  Tabernacle  at  12,  noon,  to  which  the  Saints  are  generally  invited. 

Peace  be  to  Brother  Brigham,  the  large-souled  leader,  the  wise  coun- 
selor, the  faithful  friend  of  the  good,  the  foe  to  evil,  the  inspired  prophet, 
the  great  pioneer  and  colonizer,  the  loving  husband  and  father,  the  inde- 
fatigable laborer  for  the  salvation  of  the  race  !  We  sympathize  with  his 
bereaved  family  and  condole  with  the  whole  Church.  And  may  we  who 
still  remain  emulate  his  virtues,  profit  by  his  teachings  and  live  so  that 
when  we  depart  we  may  be  worthy  to  mingle  with  the  society  in  which  he 
now  moves,  and  to  participate  with  him  in  the  glories  of  that  resurrec- 
tion in  which  he  will  shine  among  the  brightest  and  the  best ! 


10  OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG. 

[From  the  Deseret  Evening  News,  August  31,  1877.] 
LAST  MOMENTS  OF  PRESIDENT  BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 


In  order  to  satisfy  the  feelings  of  many  of  our  readers  and  answer  numer- 
ous inquiries  concerning  the  particulars  of  the  last  sickness  of  our  late 
beloved  President,  Brigham  Young,  we  publish  the  following,  arranged 
from  reports  made  by  Drs.  Seymour  B.  Young  and  F.  D.  Benedict,  and 
others  who  were  present  during  the  last  hours  of  the  President's  earthly 
existence : 

President  Young's  sickness  commenced  on  Thursday,  Aug.  23,  con- 
tinuing the  whole  of  the  afternoon.  He  had  an  inclination  to  vomit,  but 
he  continued  to  attend  to  his  business  as  usual.  In  the  evening  he  was 
present  at  a  Bishops'  meeting  in  the  Council  House,  and  instructed  the 
brethren  in  their  duties,  speaking  with  marked  point  and  power. 

At  11  o'clock  at  night,  on  retiring,  he  \(^as  seized  with  an  attack  oi 
cholera  morbus,  the  usual  symptoms  of  vomiting  and  purging  being  al- 
most continuous  until  five  o'clock  on  Friday  morning,  when,  at  his  own 
request,  a  mild  opiate  was  administered  hypodermically  into  each  foot,  to 
relieve  the  intense  pain,  caused  by  the  constant  cramping  of  the  muscles. 

During  the  whole  of  that  day  his  sufierings  were  great,  continuing 
through  most  of  the  night,  but  becoming  less  severe  towards  Saturday 
morning,  when  he  slept  for  a  few  hours.  This  was  the  first  rest  he  enjoy- 
ed from  the  commencement  of  his  attack.  During  the  whole  of  this 
period  he  endured  his  pain  cheerfully,  and  occasionally  made  humorous 
remarks  as  was  his  wont  when  he  saw  those  around  him  inclined  to  be 
troubled. 

Inflammation  of  the  bowels  set  in  on  Saturday  at  3  p.  m.  and  the 
abdomen  commenced  to  swell.  One  small  dose,  half  a  grain  of  opium, 
was  administered,  and  at  midnight  the  same  quantity.  These  doses, 
though  small,  and  given  at  long  intervals,  had  a  tendency  to  somewhat 
relieve  the  pain  and  retching,  so  susceptible  was  his  system  to  any  kind 
of  narcotic  or  stimulant. 

Throughout  Sunday  he  continued,  both  while  awake  and  asleep,  to 
moan.  When  asked  if  he  suffered  pain  his  invariable  reply  was,  "  No,  I 
don't  know  that  I  do."  During  the  same  night  his  sufferings  were  less 
severe,  but  continuous,  although  at  eight  o'clock  he  had  a  grain  of  opium 
and  at  midnight  half  a  grain. 

On  Monday  morning,  at  eight  o'clock,  he  showed  increasing  symp- 
toms of  nervous  prostration,  by  constant  moving  of  the  hands  and  twitch- 
ing of  the  muscles  of  the  arms.  One  grain  of  opium  was  administered, 
and  from  then  till  12,  noon,  he  suffered  severely.  Another  grain  of 
opium  was  given  him  and  at  8:20  in  the  evening  half  a  grain  more. 


OBSEQUIES   OP   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG.  11 

About  9  o'clock  he  sank  into  a  quiet  sleep,  resting  without  moaning. 
During  Sunday  and  Monday  he  had  received,  at  intervals  of  half  an  hour, 
a  table  spoonful  of  milk  and  brandy,  an  ounce  of  the  latter  to  eight  of 
the  former.  Hands  were  laid  upon  him  by  the  various  brethren  very  fre- 
quently from  the  time  he.was  attacked  until  his  demise.  About  10  o'clock  on 
Monday  evening  he  sank  into  a  semi-comatose  condition,  from  which  it 
was  difficult  to  arouse  him,  although,  by  persuasion,  he  swallowed  the 
milk  mixture  every  half  hour  and  a  teaspoonful  of  ice  water  at  intervals. 

At  one  o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning,  warm  stimulating  injections 
were  given,  after  which  he  thoroughly  aroused,  and,  by  the  aid  of  his 
attendants  got  out  of  bed  twice.  At  four  o'clock  the  same  morning  he 
sank  down  in  bed  apparentlfrlifeless.  Artificial  respiration  was  resorted* 
to,  by  which  the  lungs  were  kept  inflated,  and  hot  poultices  were  placed 
over  the  heart,  to  stimulate  its  action.  President  John  W.  Young  and 
others  administered  to  him  the  ordinance  for  the  sick,  calling  on  the 
Almighty  to  restore  him,  and  he  subsequently  revived,  and  responded 
"  Amen"  to  the  administration.  For  nine  consecutive  hours  artificial 
respiration  was  continued.  At  that  time  he  seemed  greatly  revived  and 
spoke  to  those  around  him,  saying  he  felt  better  and  wished  to  rest. 

This  condition  remained  until  about  8  in  the  evening,  when  partial 
prostration  again  ensued,  and  his  case  was  considered  exceedingly  critical 
by  the  attendant  physicians,  Drs.  S.  B.  Yonng,  W.  F.  Anderson,  J.  M, 
Benedict  and  F.  D.  Benedict.  After  consultation  an  entire  filling  up  of 
the  lower  part  of  the  bowels  by  injection  was  determined  upon,  for  the 
purpose  of  creating  an  action  through  the  alimentary  canal,  but  was  not 
persevered  in,  on  account  of  fainting  symptoms,  and  the  patient  objecting 
to  the  treatment,  which  caused  him  to  cry  out  with  pain.  He  passed  the 
night  in  a  semi-comatose  state. 

On  Wednesday  morning  symptoms  of  approaching  dissolution  were 
plainly  evident.  The  early  coma  was  entirely  attributable,  so  the  doctors 
say,  to  a  poisoning  of  the  blood,  from  a  pressure  of  the  swelled  bowels, 
causing  a  prevention  of  return  currents  of  the  circulation  to  the  heart  and 
lungs.  At  the  time  of  his  demise  he  was  entirely  free  from  the  influence 
of  any  opiates  or  narcotics,  not  having  taken  any  for  forty-eight  hours 
previous. 

From  the  time  that  President  Young  was  taken  ill  until  the  hour  of 
his  death,  Dr.  Seymour  B.  Young  attended  upon  him  with  the  greatest 
assiduity,  attention  and  care,  scarcely  ever  having  left  his  bedside  during 
the  whole  of  the  time,  night  or  day.  In  fact  the  same  can  be  said  of  all 
his  attendants,  who  remained  by  him  constantly,  and  Watched  every  pul- 
sation and  every  change  with  the  most  intense  anxiety  and  solicitude. 

Dr.  F.  D.  Benedict  remained  with  the  patient  the  whole  of  Tuesday 
night  and  Wednesday  until  his  decease,     Drs.  W.  F.  Anderson  and  J.  M. 


12  OBSEQUIES   OP   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG. 

Benedict  also  attended  at  intervals  during  that  time.  The  temperature  and 
pulsations  were  taken  frequently,  the  temperature  remaining  at  99  until  4 
a.m.  on  Wednesday  when  it  rose  to  lOlf ,  and  to  105  just  previous  to  his  de- 
cease. His  pulse  ranged  from  120  to  128,  the  latter  being  reached  after 
the  administration  of  the  stimulating  medicines. 

Not  only  the  physicians  named  above,  but  the  members  of  the  pro- 
fession of  Salt  Lake  generally,  expressed  an  anxiety  to  give  all  the  aid  in 
their  power  with  a  view  to  the  relief  and  restoration  of  the  President. 

On  Tuesday  night  about  ten  o'clock,  while  lying  in  a  kind  of  stupor, 
his  son  John  W.  asked  him,  "  Do  you  know  me  father  ?"  He  responded, 
"  I  rather  guess  I  do."  About  two  hours  previous  to  his  decease,  when 
several  brethren  administered  to  him,  heT^sponded  in  a  clear  and  dis- 
tinct voice,  "  Amen." 

Since  the  news  of  the  great  man's  departure  have  gone  abroad,  mes- 
sages of  condolence  have  been  received  from  all  parts  of  the  Territory, 
as  well  as  from  different  points  in  the  Union  and  from  Europe.  Na 
earthly  potentate  ever  reigned  more  fully  in  the  hearts  of  his  people  than 
did  President  Brigham  Young.  And  throughout  the  Territory,  while 
flags  hang  at  half  mast,  and  civic  and  religious  organizations  vie  with 
each  other  in  rendering  tributes  of  respect  to  the  departed,  grief  swells 
the  souls  of  the  Saints,  and  all  Israel  feels  the  magnitude  of  the  los& 
sustained. 


[From  the  Deseret  Evening  News,  September  Ist,  1877.] 

LYING  IN  STATE— PREPARATIONS  FOR  THE 

FUNERAL. 


This  morning,  about  a  quarter  past  8  o'clock,  the  mortal  remains  of 
President  Brigham  Young  were  conveyed  by  bearers  and  followed  by 
many  of  the  male  members  of  his  family,  several  of  the  Twelve  and 
others  of  the  Priesthood,  from  the  Lion  House  to  the  New  Tabernacle, 
which  is  decorated  and  draped  for  the  funeral  services.  The  coffin  con- 
taining the  body  was  enclosed  in  a  metallic  covering,  made  for  the  pur- 
pose, with  plate  glass  inserted  of  sufficient  size  to  admit  of  a  view  of 
the  departed.  This  was  done  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  the  sacred 
relics  from  the  action  of  the  atmosphere  during  the  time  of  their  lying 
in  state.  The  whole  was  tastefully  draped  with  white  merino  and  wreath- 
ed with  flowers,  and  after  those  present  had  taken  a  farewell  look  upon 
the  countenance  of  our  loved  and  venerated  President,  Prophet,  and 
Brother,  the  gates  were  opened  to  admit  the  public.  It  was  about  half- 
past  10  o'clock  before  the  anxious  crowds  awaiting  admittance     obtained 


OBSEQUIES   OF  PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG.  13 

ingress,  the  delay  being  unavoidable  in  consequence  of  the  necessary  ar- 
rangements above  described. 

It  is  the  intention  to  keep  the  Tabernacle  open  all  night  and  until 
11  o'clock  to-morrow  morning,  in  order  to  allow  those  who  wish,  to  take 
a  last  look  at  the  face  of  him  who  has  led  and  counseled  them  so  faith- 
fully for  many  years.  A  proper  and  efficient  guard  will  be  maintained 
in  and  around  the  building. 

In  consonance  with  the  feelings  of  the  hosts  of  Israel  who  lament  the 
loss  of  one  of  the  greatest  men  of  the  earth,  the  clouds,  this  morning, 
bowed  thickly  down  from  the  skies,  and  throughout  the  day^shed  gentle, 
but  copious  tears,  as  if  in  sympathy  with  the  multitude  who  thronged  the 
entrance  to  the  Tabernacle.  Up  to  3.45  o'clock,  6,000  persons  had  passed 
through  the  building  to  take  a  farewell  view  of  the  President. 

A  great  number  of  people  have  come  in  to-day  by  team  as  well  as 
by  railroad.  To-morrow,  if  the  weather  permits,  the  trains  will  bring 
in  thousands,  each  road  running  specials  at  reduced  rates  to  afford  as  great 
an  opportunity  as  possible  for  distant  friends  to  be  present  at  the  obsequies. 
And  whatever  the  weather  may  be,  the  throng,  no  doubt,  will  be  very 
great.  It  is  hoped  that  all  present  will  be  as  accommodating  to  each 
other  as  possible,  that  no  one  may  be  needlessly  excluded  from  the  Taber- 
nacle or  deprived  of  a  seat. 

President  Brigham  Young  is  endeared  to  the  Saints,  not  only  by  his 
public  administrations,  instructions  and  counsels,  his  travels  and  visits  in 
all  seasons  and  weathers,  continually,  for  their  temporal  and  spiritual 
welfare,  his  liberal  expenditure  for  every  enterprise  calculated  to  develop 
the  Territory  and  its  resources,  and  his  general  large-liearted,  public- 
spirited  course ;  but  by  private  advice,  correction  and  encouragement, 
showing  deep  wisdom  and  fatherly  solicitude,  on  all  kinds  of  subjects, 
simple  and  profound,  touching  the  common  affairs  of  life  or  involving  the 
dearest  interests  of  humanity.  This  he  has  done  for  many  years,  exhib- 
iting a  patience  and  a  kindness  as  remarkable  as  his  quickness  of  percep- 
tion, tenacity  of  memory  and  ability  to  grasp  and  decide  upon  anything 
and  everything  presented. 

To-morrow  we  will  pay  our  last  respects  to  his  mortal  remains,  but 
the  memory  of  his  labors,  and  the  influence  of  his  teachings  will  never 
be  obliterated  from  the  minds  of  the  thousands  who  venerate  his  name. 


[From  the  Deseret  Evening  News,  September  3rd,  1877.] 
FUNERAL  OF  PRESIDENT  BRIGHAIVI  YOUNG. 


Yesterday  morning  the  glorious  sun,  shining  bright  and  clear  from  a 
cloudless  and  lovely  sky,  ushered  in  one  of  the  finest  and  calmest  Sabbath 


14  OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 

days  ever  seen  in  Utah.  Special  trains  from  tlie  north,  the  south,  and  the 
west,  brought  in  vast  crowds  of  people  from  points  far  and  near  to  witness 
the  obsequies  of  President  Brigham  Young.  The  pleasant  rain  of  Satur- 
day had  settled  the  dust  effectually,  so  that  the  great  throngs  which  moved 
through  the  streets  suffered  no  inconvenience  thereby. 

There  was  a  continuous  stream  of  living  humanity  passing  through 
the  Tabernacle  until  half-past  eleven  o'clock,  to  view  the  mortal  remains 
of  our  departed  President.  By  actual  count,  over  18,000  persons  of  all 
classes,  ages,  opinions  and  degrees  visited  the  Tabernacle  while  the  body 
was  lying  in  state,  manifesting  the  greatest  deconim  and  respect.  Several 
thousands  were  not  counted,  as  they  took  their  seats  after  viewing  the  re- 
mains without  passing  out  by  the  recording  officer.  It  is  estimated  that 
nearly  25,000  persons  took  their  last  farewell  of  the  honored  dead. 

Before  the  services  commenced,  the  metallic  covering  in  which  the 
coffin  had  been  placed  to  preserve  the  body  from  the  air,  with  its  drapery, 
was  removed,  the  lid  was  fastened  down  and  the  face  of  our  beloved 
brother  and  revered  leader  was  finally  excluded  from  human  view. 

During  the  morning  the  following  music  was  finely  rendered  at  inter- 
vals, on  the  organ,  played  by  Brother  Joseph  J.  Daynes,  and  by  the  or- 
chestra led  by  Brother  George  Careless  : 

"  The  Dead  March  in  Saul." — Organ  and  Orchestra. 

"  Brigham  Young's  Funeral  March,"  composed  by  Jos.  J.  Daynes 
— Organ. 

"  Wilson's  Funeral  March  " — Organ. 

"  Mendelsohn's  Funeral  March  " — Organ  and  Orchestra. 

The  seats  in  the  unreserved  parts  of  the  Tabernacle  were  filled  long 
before  the  time  fixed  for  the  services.  The  building  was  handsomely  de- 
corated. From  the  immense  ceiling  which  arches  over  the  whole  interior 
without  a  pillar,  strands  of  flowers  were  looped  in  rich  profusion,  a  mas- 
sive and  elegant  floral  centre  piece  depending  from  the  midst,  while 
wreaths  were  festooned  from  column  to  column  under  the  entire  gallery> 
with  basket  bouquets  pendant,  and  each  column,  with  the  organ,  the  stands 
and  the  whole  front  of  the  platform  tastefully  draped  in  black.  The 
coffin,  constructed  according  to  the  President's  instructions,  and  decked 
with  garlands  of  flowers,  was  mounted  upon  a  plain  catafalque,  in  view  of 
the  whole  congregation,  in  front  of  the  stands  on  which  were  placed  ele- 
gant bouquets. 

The  President's  stand  was  occupied  by  his  Counselors — Presidents 
John  W.  Young  and  Daniel  H.  Wells.  The  Apostles,  ten  of  whom 
were  present,  the  Patriarch  John  Smith,  several  of  the  First  Presidents 
of  the  Seventies,  the  Presidency  of  the  Stake,  the  Presiding  Bishop  and 
his  Counselors  occupied  their  respective  seats,  as  usual. 

The  south  front  of  the  platform  was  occupied  by  the  Salt  Lake  City 


OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG.  15 

Council,  the  Glee  Club  and  the  Band ;    west  of  them  were  the  visiting. 
Presidents,  their  Counselors  and  the  High  Councils  of  different  Stakes. 

The  north  side  of  the  platform  was  occupied  by  the  Bishops  and 
their  Co.unselors  of  this  and  other  Stakes.  Between  them  and  the  stands 
were  the  phonographic  reporters,  representatives  of  the  Deseret  News, 
Salt  Lake  Herald,  Ogden  Junction,  New  York  Times,  New]  York  Sun 
and  other  papers  east  and  west. 

The  numerous  family  of  the  deceased  were  in  the  seats  immediately 
facing  the  stands,  the  President's  four  brothers  in  the  front  seat.  The 
south  centre  seats  east  of  the  "family,  back  to  the  centre  aisle  running 
north  and  south,  were  filled  by  the  Seventies ;  and  the  north  centre  seats 
corresponding,  by  the  High  Priests.  The  side  seats  on  the  south,  back  to 
the  aisle  above-named,  were  appropriated  to  the  Elders ;  and  the  side 
seats  corresponding  on  the  north,  to  the  Lesser  Priesthood. 

The  rest  of  the  building  was  entirely  filled,  as  were  the  aisles  and 
doorways  and  every  available  standing  place,  by  the  general  public.  The 
congregation  within  the  building  numbered  at  least  15,000,  while  thou- 
sands of  persons  unable  to  obtain  admission  were  in  the  grounds  of  the 
Tabernacle  or  -in  the  streets  outside.  About  30,000,  altogether,  gath- 
ered to  witness  the  proceedings. 

Precisely  at  12,  noon,  the  immense  congregation  was  called  to  order 
by  Elder  George  Q.  Cannon,  who,  at  the  request  of  the  family,  conducted 
the  ceremonies.         j 

The  choir  of  220  voices,  led  ^by  Brother  George  Careless,  Brother 
Joseph  J.  Daynes  presiding  at  the  organ,  sang, 

"Hark!  from  afar  a  funeral  knell," 

to  the  tune  of  "  Kest,"  composed  by  Brother  Careless  for  President  Geo. 
A.  Smith's  funeral,  and  only  used  on  the  two  occasions. 

PRAYER  BY  ELDER  F.  D.  RICHARDS. 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  we  implore  a  measure  of  thy  Holy  Spirit  to  rest  down  upon  this 
vast  congregation,  that  we  may  worship  before  thee  in  the  spirit  of  meek- 
ness, and  the  beauty  of  boliness,  and  in  that  right  and  proper  frame  of 
mind  which  belongs  to  Saints  of  the  living  God. 

We  thank  thee,  holy  Father,  that  in  thy  kind  providence  and  heaven- 
ly love,  when  the  whole  earth  lay  in  sin  and  wickedness,  thou  didst 
break  the  darkness  and  send  light  and  blessing  to  the  human  family  by 
t^^y  servant  Joseph;  that  thou  didst  cause  the  angels  of  heaven  to  minis- 
ter to  him,  by  which  thy  will  has  been  revealed  again  to  man  upon 
the  earth,  and  thine  authority  has  been  restored  that  the  righteous  may 
minister,  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  the  forgiveness  of  sins  and  the  power  of  the 


16  OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG. 

Ev^erlastiDg  Covenant  by  which  mankind  may  be  brought  again  unto  thee. 
And  we  thank  thee,  Father,  that  after  him,  when  he  had  sealed  his  testi- 
mony with  his  blood,  shed  by  the  hands  of  wicked  assassins,  when  the 
church  was  young  and  feeble  on  the  earth,  thou  didst  give  us  thy  servant 
Brigham  to  continue  those  labors,  and  to  spread  abroad  the  knowledge 
,of  thy  will  and  to  establish  thy  government  in  the  earth. 

O  Lord,  this  morning,  we  are  called  to  part  with  this,  one  of  the 
noblest  sons  of  thy  numerous  family;  and  we  cannot  but  recollect  the 
variety,  the  multitudinous  character  and  magnitude  of  the  labors  he 
has  performed  here  upon  the  earth.  But  we  realize  that  we  do  not  yet 
feel  and  know  the  extent  of  that  loss  which  we  have  sustained  by  his 
departure.  Thou,  Father,  hast  made  him  to  be  a  great  captain  in  Israel, 
to  lead  thy  people  from  scenes  of  deep  distress  to  these  retired  vales  of 
the  earth,  where  homes,  peace  and  plenty  have  been  abundantly  given 
unto  us.  Where  he  has  been  permitted  by  his  labors  and  loving  counsels 
to  establish  thy  people  in  thy  strength  and  blessing,  by  which  thine 
enemies  and  the  enemies  of  thy  people,  and  they  too  in  our  very  midst, 
have  been  vanquished  by  the  power  of  faith  that  is  planted  in  the 
bosoms  of  thy  Saints.  We  thank  thee  for  the  great  good  he  has  been 
permitted  to  do  on  the  earth  and  especially  to  thy  people  Israel.  And 
we  pray  that  thou  will  grant  unto  us  that  we  may  mourn  for  him  in  a 
proper  and  acceptable  manner ;  that  while  we  realize  our  loss  is  great,  we 
may  rejoice,  our  Father,  in  the  anticipation  of  that  joy  which  he  experi- 
ences, with  thy  servants  Joseph  and  Hyrum  and  those  who  have  gone 
before  of  the  sons  of  the  father  of  the  Faithful,  even  Abraham  our  ancestor. 
O  Lord,  wilt  thou  let  that  promised  blessed  influence  of  thy  Holy  Spirit, 
and  the  presence  ol  their  spirits  attend  upon  us  to-day,  and  be  felt  by  this 
whole  multitude ;  give  unto  us  those  sincere  and  intelligent  joys  of  the  gos- 
pel that  shall  lift  our  souls  above  every  earthly  care  and  sorrow,  that  we 
may  be  established  in  the  principles  of  truth  revealed  and  rejoice  in  the 
restoration  of  the  keys,  powers  and  authority  of  the  gospel. 

And  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  comfort  the  hearts  of  the  bereaved 
family  and  household  with  such  an  exalted  view  of  the  character  of  thy 
dealings  to  thy  people  and  to  them,  as  shall  enable  each  to  say,  "  Father, 
thy  will  be  done !  "  Bless  the  absent  members  of  his  family,  his  sons  in 
other  lands;  may  they  in  their  ministry  and  studies  feel  the  consolations 
of  that  Spirit  which  Heaven  alone  can  give.  Bless,  we  pray  thee,  the 
wives  of  thy  servant  who  has  departed.  May  they  entertain  that  truth- 
ful, faithful  and  virtuous  integrity  to  him  which  is  most  becoming  for 
them,  to  share  and  rejoice  with  him  in  the  fulness  of  the  blessings  of  im- 
mortality and  eternal  lives.  Bless  thou  and  comfort  and  honor  his  sons 
and  daughters,  the  commencement  of  a  mighty  race  in  the  earth.  O 
Lord,  establish  in   them  the  powers  of  the  everlasting  priesthood  a^d 


OBSEQUIES  OF  PRESIDENT  BRIGHAM  YOUNG.  17 

covenant,  that  they  may  be  able  to  live  to  honor  their  illustrious  father. 
Wilt  thou  remember  his  two  sons  whe  have  stepped  forward  and  who 
are  partakers  of  the  apostleship.  May  they  become  great  lights  in  their 
father's  house,  those  upon  whom  the  others  may  lean  for  assistance,  for 
comfort  and  for  support  in  all  the  walks  of  life.  We  pray  that  thou 
wilt  comfort  thine  Elders  in  all  the  earth  this  day ;  when  they  hear  of  these 
sad  tidings  may  the  Holy  Spirit  minister  to  them,  may  angels  visit  them 
and  make  them  to  feel  that  all  is  well. 

We  pray  thee  to  hasten  the  day  when  the  great  work  in  which  thy 
servant  Brigham  has  taken  so  active  and  prominent  a  part,  shall  be  ex- 
tended and  magnified  more  abundantly  in  the  earth.  We  thank  thee,  O 
Lord,  that  thou  did'st  inspire  him  in  his  later  days  to  build  and  dedicate 
Temples  unto  thy  name  and  to  set  in  order  the  priesthood  therein,  together 
with  all  the  ordinances  thereof  both  for  the  living  and  for  the  dead,  that 
thou  did'st  move  upon  him  to  more  fiilly  organize  the  people,  set  in  order 
thy  church,  and  clothe  thy  Zion  more  abundantly  with  the  powers  of 
the  holy  priesthood. 

O  Lord,  now  that  thou  hafet  taken  hiin,  let  thy  blessings  come  down 
in  greater  abundance  and  power  upon  thy  servants  who  remain ;  and  pre- 
serve thy  people  from  any  manner  of  schism  or  discord.  And  let  those 
upon  whom  shall  devolve  the  duty  and  responsibility  of  giving  guidance 
to  thy  work  upon  the  earth,  abide  in  the  bonds  of  the  everlasting  cove- 
nant, and  may  the  revelations  of  thy  will  be  given  unto  them,  thy  Spirit  be 
in  them,  and  thy  counsels  be  made  manifest  through  them  unto  all  of 
thy  people.  And  we  forget  not  to  seek  thy  blessings  upon  thy  aged 
servants,  now  venerable  in  years,  the  brothers  of  thy  servant  Brigham. 
May  they,  our  Father,  be  able  to  emulate  most  abundantly  the  worthy 
and  glorious  career  of  the  honored  dead  whose  remains  are  now  before  us. 
And  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  lengthen  out  their  days  until  their  souls  shall 
be  satisfied  with  this  life,  and  then  that  they  may  be  gathered  to  the  glo- 
rious host  that  shall  attend  to  wait  upon  them. 

We  beseech  of  thee,  our  Father,  to  remember  thy  scattered  Israel  in 
every  part ;  the  House  of  Judah,  the  Ten  Tribes,  wherever  they  may  be, 
and  the  scattered  remnants  of  this  land  in  which  we  are  permitted  to 
dwelli  May  thy  word  go  forth,  thy  spirit  be  diffused,  and  the  power  of 
the  priesthood  that  thou  hast  restored  rest  not  until  Israel,  be  gathered, 
Zion  redeemed,  Jerusalem  built  up  and  thy  glory  restored  to  earth. 

We  ask  thee,  holy  Father,  to  receive  our  thanks  this  morning,  for 
we  acknowledge  with  gratitude  the  peace  that  thou  hast  blessed  us  with. 
Although  thou  did'st  suffer  thy  servant  to  be  imprisoned  for  the  truth's 
sake,  thou  did'st  preserve  his  life  until  he  could  lay  it  down  in  peace  in 
his  own  house  and  habitation,  in  the  midst  of  his  loving  family  and 
devoted  friends.  Be  pleased  to  continue  peace  upon  our  borders  and  in 
B  • 


18  OBSEQUIES  OP  PRESIDENT  BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 

our  midst,  preserve  us  from  the  horrors  of  war,  for  thou  hast  promised  to 
fight  the  battles  of  thy  people.  While  hundreds  of  thousands  are  falling 
by  pestilence  in  other  lands,  here  in  our  valleys,  once  a  wild  desert,  but 
now  the  home  of  thy  saints,  abounds  plenty  both  for  man  and  for 
T^east.  For  all  this  we  thank  thee  and  praise  thee,  O  thou  God  of  Hosts. 
Bless,  O  Lord,  thy  servants  who  may  speak  on  this  occasion.  May 
their  words  be  full  of  consolation  and  comfort  to  all  those  who  mourn, 
for  we  all  are  Mourners  before  thee  this  day.  And  may  we  who  have 
been  co-workers  with  thy  servant,  so  live  and  so  labor  that  we  may 
come  to  a  peaceful  and  happy  end,  and  our  last  days  be  like  his,  that  we 
may  rejoice  in  our  labors  knowing  that  they  are  acceptably  done.  We 
dedicate  ourselves,  our  families,  this  people  and  work  unto  thee,  the  Lord 
our  God ;  it  is  thine,  and  we  are  thine.  Direct  all  things  to  the  glory  of 
thy  name,  and  unto  Thee  shall  be  SU  praise,  glory  and  honor,  through 
Jesus  Christ,  our  Redeemer,  Amen. 

Choir  sang 

"  Thou  dost  not  weep  to  weep  alone." 

nvA)i  Tune  "Bereavement,"  composed  by  Brother  George  Careless. 

The  following  t^emarks  were  then  made,  reported,  as  well  as  the  above 
and  following  prayers,  phonographically,  by  Brother  George  F.  Gibbs : 

PRESIDENT  D.  H.  WELLS 

I  arise  with  an  aching  heart,  but  cannot  let  pass  this  opportunity 
of  paying  at  least  a  tribute  of  respect  to^our  departed  friend  and  brother, 
who  has  just  stepped  behind  the  vail.  I  can  only  say.  Let  the  silent 
tear  fall  that  it  may  give  relief  to  the  troubled  heart ;  for  we  have  lost 
our  counselor,  our  friend,  our  President;  a  friend  to  God,  a  friend  to  His 
saints,  a  friend  to  the  Church  and  a  friend  to  humanity. 

I  have  no  desire  or  wish  to  multiply  wOrds,  feeling  that  it  is  rather 
a  time  to  mourn.  Good  bye.  Brother  Brigham,  until  the  morning  of  the 
resurrection  day,  when  thy  spirit  and  body  shall  be  re-united,  and  thou 
shalt  inherit  immortality,  eternal  lives  and  everlasting  glory,  and  thy 
life-long  companions  who  will  soon  follow  after,  will  meet  thee  in  peace 
and  joy. 

'  May  God  bless  the  Latter-day  Saints,  and  may  the  consolations  of 
the  holy  gospel,  the  hope  of  the  glorious  resurrection  and  redemption 
wrought  out  by  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ,  pervade  every  heart 
''to   the  consoling  thereof,  is  my  prayer  in  the  name  of  Jesus.     Amen. 

ELDER  WILFORD  WOODRUFF. 

We  have  lying  before  us  the  earthly  tabernacle  of  President  Brigham 
'Young.    His  voice  is  hushed  in  death,  and  all  Israel  has  to  bow  and 


OBSEQUIES   OF  PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG.  19 

submit  to  the  mind  and  will  of  God.  Israel  will  never  again  hear  his 
voice  until  after  the  resurrection.  I  have  no  desire  to  occupy  the  time  of 
this  assembly,  in  eulogizing  the  life  of  President  Young.  His  works  and 
words  are  recorded  in  heaven,  and  they  are  recorded  here  on  the  earth  ; 
and  that  is  sufficient.  Let  those  of  us  who  remain  a  few  days  study 
the  counsels,  the  sermons  and  principles  which  have  been  revealed  unto 
us  through  the  mouth  of  this  prophet  of  God.  It  will  be  but  a  few  days 
until  a  great  many  of  us  who  are  in  this  assembly  will  follow  him. 

It  seems  as  though  Joseph  was  anxious  to  have  with  him,  on  the  other 
side'  of  the  v^iil,  almost  all  the  men  that  labored  with  him  and  stood 
shoulder  to  shoulder  with  him  in  the  flesh.  I  do  not  suppose  there  was 
ever  a  man  breathed  the  breath  of  life  who,  in  the  short  space  of  forty-five 
years,  has  done  so  much  towards  the  establishment  of  the  government 
and  kingdom  of  God,  as  our  beloved  President.  His  life  has  been  before 
many  of  you  for  several  years,  and  to  some  from  thie  commencement  of 
his  labors  in  this  church.  He  felt  the  weight  of  this  dispensation  resting 
upon  him ;  he  certainly  has  been  true  and  faithful  unto  death,  and  he  is 
prepared  to  receive  a  crown  of  life. 

'^  About  all  I  wish  to  do  in  my  remarks  is  to  exhort  this  great  body 
of^people  who  hold  the  holy  priesthood,  that  during  the  few  remaining 
days  of  our  earthly  life  we  continue,  faithfully,  the  work  that  is  now 
left  us  to  do.  •*  The  Lord  has  given  and  the  Lord  has  taken  away,  and 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord."  The  great  desire  of  President  Young 
in  the  last  year  of  his  life,  as  well  as  previously,  was  that  before  he 
passed  away  he  might  erect  Temples  to  the  name  of  the  Lord,  in  that 
way  and  manner  that  men  bearing  the  holy  priesthood  in  the  flesh  could 
enter  into  those  temples  and  perform  their  missions,  for  the  redemption 
of  the  dead.  This  has  been  plainly  manifested  to  all  who  have  been 
much  in  his  company.  I  rejoice  that  he  lived  long  enough  to  enter 
into  one  Temple  and  attend  to  its  dedication,  and  to  commence  the  work 
of  others.  And  I  would  say  to  this  people,  let  us  go  to  and  finish  these 
Temples,  that  we  may  continue  the  work  required  of  us.  I  trust  we  will 
realize  the  importance  of  the  great  and  serious  responsibilities  resting 
upon  us  who  are  engaged  in  the  work  which  comprehends  all  others,  it 
being  the  great  and  last  dispensation  of  the  fulness  of  times;  that  we,  like 
our  leader,  may  be  diligent,  day  and  night,  in  striving  to  carry  out  the 
counsels  given  to  us. 

I  feel  to  thank  God  in  my  spirit  that  our  beloved  President  has  had 
the  privilege,  when  his  work  was  finished,  of  laying  down  his  body  in 
peace,'  at  home,  surrounded  by  his  family  and  friends;  instead  of  suffering 
martyrdom  as  did  our  former  President,  and  as  did  nearly  all  the  ancient 
Apostles.  This  to  me  is  certainly  very  consoling,  and  I  would  repeat, 
^t  us  accomplish  .the  work  laid  upon  us  by  our  beloved  leader,  so  that 
imo&iii*  £i4»t#(i  s^yurf  ISvB  to sgam9m  9d3  d^uotai     .aba ,  jj >  dIO .  ■-; 


20  OBSEQUIES  OF  PRESIDENT  BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 

when  our  time  is  ended,  we  can  go  hence  and  be  welcomed  into  the  society 
of  Brigham,  of  Joseph,  George  A.,  Brother  Eamball  and  the  host  of 
Elders  who  have  dwelt  in  the  flesh  and  proven  faithful  and  true,  feeling 
satisfied  with  our  labors. 

It  is  said  that "  blessings  brighten  as  they  take  their  flight."  I  have  often 
felt  in  listening  to  the  glorious  principles  of  President  Young,  that  the 
people  here  heard  him  so  much  tljat  they  hardly  prized  the  beauty  and 
the  extent  of  the  results  and  virtues  of  his  teachings.  Brethren  let  us 
give  these  things  our  serious  attention  and  remember  them  and  carry  them 
out  in  our  lives.  Let  us  keep  the  commandments,  striving  in  all  earnest- 
ness to  be  true  and  faithful  to  the  end  of  our  work,  so  that  we  may  share 
the  joys  of  those  men  whose  names  brighten  the  pages  of  our  history. 

I  would  say  to  the  bereaved  family,  may  God  comfort  you  and  bless 
you  and  give  you  increasedly  of  his  spirit.  Your  husband  and  father 
has  gone  to  prepare  the  way  for  his  family  who  must  sooner  or 
later  follow  after  him.  If  you  as  his  wives,  hie  sons  and  daughters  keep  his 
sayings,  you  will  be  prepared  to  meet  him  in  the  morning  of  the  resurrec- 
tion, numbered  among  the  faithful  and  worthy  ones.  And  to  my  brethren 
and  sisters  who  have  heard  his  voice  for  these  many  years  :  Let  us  not 
forget  the  precious  words  of  truth  aij^d  wisdom  he  has  taught  us.  We  are 
living  in  a  time  of  important  changes.  If  ever  a  man  could  have  been 
saved  from  dying  through  prayer.  President  Brigham  Young  could.  But 
it  was  not  in  the  power  of  man  to  keep  him  here.  I  believe  Brother  Geo. 
A.  Smith  was  kept  from  dying  through  the  prayers  of  his  brethren  and 
the  saints,  several  months  after  he  was  called  away.  But  when  the  Lord 
calls  we  must  go.  When  we  received  word  in  St.  George  of  the  sickness 
of  President  Young,  we  stopped  all  business,  and  went  into  the  TempIe,^ 
remaining  mostly  for  two  days  and  nights  engaged  in  supplicating 
Almighty  God  for  his  recovery,  until  the  time  of  his  death.  Having 
finished  his  work  he  had  to  go ;  and  he  is  now  beyond  the  power  of  pain 
and  sorrow,  sickness  and  death.  He  has  been  true  and  faithful  to  the  end, 
and  therefore  all  is  well  with  him. 

That  God  may  bless  us  all,  and  help  us  all  to  realize  the  responsi- 
bility we  are  under  to  him,  to  our  fellow-man  and  to  each  other,  to  the 
living  and  to  the  dead,  is  my  prayer  in  the  name  of  Jesus.     Amen. 

REMARKS  BY  ELDER  ERASTUS  SNOW. 

I  parted  with  President  Brigham  Young  and  a  few  brethren  who  were 
with  him  in  Manti,  Sanpete  County,  in  July  last;  since  which  time  I 
have  been  engaged  attending  meetings  visiting  and  organizing  the  southern 
settlements;  and  was,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  on  a  visit  to  our  settlements  in 
south-eastern  Nevada.    Through  the  blessings  of  God  I  have  been  enabled 


OBSEQUIES  OF  PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUWG.  21 

to  return,  in  company  with  Elder  "Woodruff,  who  has  just  addressed  us, 
in  time  to  be  present  on  this  memorable  occasion. 

Shall  I  say  it  is  a  pleasure  to  have  the  privilege  of  meeting  with  the 
Saints  of  God  on  this  occasion  ?  It  might  seem  paradoxical  to  use  such 
an  expression,  but  nevertheless  it  is  true.  The  pleasure  is  not  in  parting 
with  our  honored,  tried  and  beloved  President ;  but  it  is  in  meeting  with 
this  vast  body  of  Latter-day  Saints  and  the  thousands  of  Elders  of  Israel 
that  are  assembled  on  this  occasion,  who  have  come  together  to  testify  to 
one  another,  to  the  world  of  mankind,  and  to  the  heavens,  the  love,  the 
esteem,  the  confidence  and  the  enduring  ties  which  bind  him  to  us.  We 
meet  not  merely  to  condole  with  the  beloved  family  and  relatives  of  the 
deceased;  but  we  meet  to  condole  with  each  other,  and  to  publicly,  testify 
of  the  faith  we  have  in  Christ  Jesus  and  in  the  work  that  we  and  our 
President  are  engaged  in,  in  which  he  led  the  van,  directing  our  energies 
and  as  the  mouthpiece  of  God  imparting  words  of  wisdom,  counsel  and 
guidance  unto  this  people. 

I  first  became  acquainted  with  Brother  Brigham  in  the  month  of 
July,  1835.  It  has  been  my  high  privilege  to  be  associated  with  him  in 
the  labors  of  the  gospel  from  that  time  up  to  the  present,  to  share  the 
benefits  of  his  counsels  and  labors,  and  to  co-operate  with  him  in  this 
great  work  in  which  he  has  been  engaged.  It  would  be  but  a  small  thing 
to  add  my  testimony,  but  which  I  know  would  be  the  testimony  of  thou- 
sands before  me,  as  well  as  thousands  who  are  not  with  us  to-day,  more 
especially  of  those  who  have  been  longest  and  most  intimately  acquainted 
with  him ;  a  testimony  we  are  all  able  to  bear,  namely,  the  never-failing 
devotion  of  his  heart  to  the  building  up  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  to  the 
honoring  of  the  holy  priesthood  he  received,  and  to  the  carrying  out  of 
the  counsels  of  the  Lord  and  all  things  revealed  through  the  Prophet 
Joseph,  as  well  as  all  things  which  manifested  themselves  to  him  from 
day  to  day. pointing  to  the  welfare  of  Israel;  all  the  day  long  he  has 
borne  the  burdens  and  responsibilities  placed  upon  him,  which  he  has 
honored  and  magnified  to  the  end.  I  believe  that  all  Israel  will  agree 
with  Elder  Woodruff  in  the  expression,  that  if  the  anxiety  and  prayers  of 
the  Saints  could  have  preserved  him  longer  in  our  midst,  he  would  hot 
have  passed  away.  But  from  the  time  I  heard  of  his  sickness,  which  was 
less  than  twenty-four  hours  before  his  death,  I  was  not  able  to  gather  any 
testimony  in  my  earnest  prayers  and  supplications  that  he  would  tarry 
with  us ;  but  on  the  other  hand,  a  deep  seated  feeling  rested  upon  me 
that  the  Lord  was  about  to  call  him  behind  the  vail.  And  when  the  news 
of  his  death  reached  me,  the  first  and  most  prominent  feeling  of  my  hear^t 
was,  "Thank  God  that  he  has  had  the  privilege  of  spending  his  last  mo- 
ments in  quiet  and  peace  in  the  midst  of  his  friends  and  has  gone  beyond 
the  reach  of  his  enemies,  who  npw.hayaiio  power  to  annoy  and  persecute 


,io-{jiiq  aiii^  ;.^Uia  £iUi 


22  OBSEQUIES  OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG. 

hira/'  We  are  permitted  too  to  mourn  his  loss  in  peace  and  quiet.  Peace  be 
upon  Israel !  Peace  be  upon  his  beloved  family  !  Peace  be  upon  all  his 
beloved  brethren  and  laborers  in  Zion  and  throughout  the  world !  Peace 
l^e  upon  the  multitudes  of  Israel  who  this  day  assemble  throughout,  the 
land  to  testify  their  faith,  their  respect  and  their  love  for  him,  the  congre- 
gations of  the  Saints  who  are  at  this  hour  in  every  part  of  the  land  in  the 
act  of  worshipping,  and  mingling  their  feelings,  their  voices  and  testimony 
with  ours  for  the  same  common  purpose! 

President  Brigham  Young  needs  no  monument  to  perpetuate  his  name 
and  character  more  than  that  which  he  himself  by  his  own  works  and 
virtues  has  reared  in  the  hearts  of  his  people.     And  his  testimony  is  such 
as  will  be  in  force  to  all  the  world,  and  his  fame  in  connection  with  that 
of  the   Prophet  Joseph  Smith   is  known  among  all  nations,   kindreds, 
tongues  and  people.     This  latter-day  work  is  not  the  work  of  a  few  years 
in  mortality;  our  priesthood  is  everlasting,  ''without  beginning  of  days 
or  end  of  years',"  the  labors  of  which  reach  forward  through  time  into 
eternity  and  continue  for  ever.    Truly  did  the  Lord  speak  to  John  the 
the  Revelator  when  banished  for  the  Gospel's  sake  to  the  Isle  of  Patmos, 
"  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord,  from  henceforth :  Yea,  saith 
the  Spirit,  thaf  they  may  rest  from  their  labors ;  and  their  works  do  fpl" 
low  them."     From  the  labors  of  the  flesh  they  rest,  but  their  works  con- 
tinue.    Kest  is  a  change,  but  not  a  cessation  from  labor.     And  the  works 
of  every  faithful  Elder  of  Israel  after  finishing  his  labors  in  the  flesh, 
will  go  forward  in  the  future  ages  of  eternity.     Brother  Brigham,  having 
done  a  great,'  a  glorious  work  in  the  flesh,  now  joins  his  labors  with  those 
of  the  spirit  world  and.  is  welcomed  back  again  from  this  mission  of 
mortality ;  receives  the  joyous  welcome  of  the  Father  and  the  Son  and 
the  greetings  of  apostles  and  prophets,  of  Joseph  and  his  brethren  who 
have  gone  before  him,  all  welcoming  him  back  again  from  earth);  he  joins 
with  them  in  the  more  extensive  labors  of  the  Priesthood,  and  the  redemp- 
tion of  the  hosts  of  the  dead  and  their  preparations  for  the  resurrection  day. 
It  is  a  great  joy  and  comfort  to  know  that  he  had  the   privilege  of 
living  to  complete  one  Temple  and  to  see  it  dedicated,  and  that  he  super- 
intended the  setting  in  order  of  the  priesthood  and  the  ordinances  for  the 
redemption  of  the  dead,  as  well  as  for  the  exaltation  of  the  living.     It 
was   one  of  the  greatest  objects  of  his   life,  something   that  he  greatly 
desired  to  see  done  before  he  should  pass  away.     I  have  often  reflected 
upon  the  prayer  that  I  used  to  hear  offered  up  by  Brother  George  A. 
Smith  during  his  last  winter  which  he  spent  with  President  Young  in  St. 
George.      As   Trustee-in-Trust   he  directed  the  labors   of  building   the 
Temple.      His  frequent  prayer  was,  in  substance,  that  the  Lord  would 
spare  President  Young  to  see  the  completion  of  that  Temple  and  to  set  in 
order  the  Priesthood  therein.     While  I  often  heard  him  make  this  prayer^ 


OBSEQUIES  OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG.  23 

I  do  not  remember  having  heard  him  make  the  same  request  in  his  own 
behalf.  Prest.  Geo.  A.  Smith  passed  away  without  this  privilege,  but 
his  prayer  was  answered  on  the  head  of  his  brother  Brigham,  and  all  the 
elders  of  Israel  greatly  rejoice  because  he  obtained  this  privilege,  for  now 
all  things  pertaining  to  the  ordinances  and  keys  of  the  priesthood  in  all 
their  minutiae  were  set  in  order  according  to  the  revelations  of  God.  And 
it  will  be  remembered  that  after  his  return  from  St.  George,  last  spring,  on 
his  first  greeting  his  brethren  from  this  stand,  one  of  the  most  prominent 
sentiments  expressed  by  him,  when  referring  to  his  work  during  the  win- 
ter, was  that  he  felt  satisfied  with  his  labors ;  to  which  I  believe  all  Israel 
so  far  as  they  were  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  and  could  appreciate 
those  labors,  could  say  Amen,  tie  was  moved  upon  to  direct  his  brethren, 
the  Apostles  to  go  to  and  organize  the  Stakes  of  Zion  throughout  the 
Territory,  in  which  he  himself  took  a  prominent  part,  according  to  the 
strength  of  body  he  possessed.  And  the  kind,  fatherly  spirit  that  charac- 
terized his  every  act  during  this  period  of  his  life  seemed  to  shine  brighter 
and  exert  even  a  more  peaceful  influence  than  at  any  time  of  his  life  before. 
His  public  addresses,  his  private  utterances,  his  counsels  and  labors  during 
the  past  Summer,  have  all  seenied  to  bespeak  that  the  hour  was  drawing 
near,  the  time  was  close  at  hand  when  he  should  depart.  I  have  watched 
him  during  the  entire  season  while  I  was  with  him,  and  also  during  his 
late  labors  in  the  South  in  the  Temple,  and  from  that  time  to  this  I  care- 
fully observed  every  word  that  flowed  from  his  lips  both  in  public  and 
private,  everything  tending  to  make  this  profound  impression  upon  my 
feelings  that  he  was  soon  to  pass  behind  the  vail ;  and  on  receiving  word 
of  his  last  sickness,  thef  impression  forced  itself  upon  me,'he  is  to  depart. 
I  can  therefore  say,  we  mourn  not  as  the  world  mourn.  Was  he  our 
leader?  Yes,  in  one  sense,  and  that  only  as  we  are  in  the  habit  of  using 
that  term.  For  thirty-three  years,  since  the  death  of  the  Prophet  Joseph, 
he  has  been  our  earthly  head ;  and  yet  he  was  not  our  leader,  except  in 
the  earthly  sense ;  for  the  Lord  wrought  in  him  and  through  him  and  by 
him  as  our  earthly  leader. 

And  may  God  grant  in  his  merciful  kindness  that  he  will  never  hide 
his  face  from  us ;  but  ever  continue  to  lead  us,  as  a  people,  to  glory  and 
victory,  triumphing  over  evil,  subduing  our  passions  and  repenting  fully 
of  all  our  sins,  our  selfishness  and  pride,  our  vanity  and  folly ;  and  unit- 
ing our  hearts  as  a  band  of  brethren  and  sisters  for  the  carrying  out  of 
the  counsels  of  the  Lord  which  we  have  so  often  received  through  him ; 
and  imitate  his  noble  example,  and  practise  those  noble  virtues  in  our 
lives.  And  teach  them  to  our  children  and  our  children's  children  and 
spread  them  abroad  throughout  the  world,  devoting  our  lives  and  energies 
for  the  salvation  and  redemption  of  the  living  and  the  dead,  until  we  too 
shall  go  hence  and  meet  with  Brother  Brigham  in  the  spirit  world,  to  be 


24  OBSEQUIES   OF  PRESIDENT  BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 

welcomed  back  from  this  our  earthly  mission,  receiving  that  welcome 
plaudit,  "  Well  done  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  in  to  the  joy  of  thy 
Lord  ;"  and  then  when  it  shall  please  God  our  Father  to  cause  the  trump 
to  sound  for  the  resurrection,  that  we  may  greet  each  other  again  with 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  apostles  and  saints  who  have  gone  before ; 
which  we  ask  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.    Amen. 

ELDER  GEORGE  ,Q.  CANNON. 

Nearly  four  years  ago  President  Young,  in  company  with  a  num- 
ber of  other  Elders,  wrote  his  instructions  which  he  and  they  desired  to 
have  left  on  record  concerning  their  funerals.  It  was  his  written  request 
that  his  instructions  upon  this  subject  be  read  at  his  funeral.  They  are 
as  follows : 

I,  Brigham  Young,  wish  my  funeral  services  to  be  conducted  after  the  fol- 
lowing manner: 

When  I  breathe  my  last  I  wish  my  friends  to  put  my  body  in  as  clean  and 
wholesome  state  as  can  conveniently  be  done  and  preserve  the  same  for  one,  two, 
three  or  four  days,  or^as  long  as  my  body  can  be  preserved  in  a  good  condition^ 
I  want  my  coffin  made  of  plump  1J4  inch  redwood  boards  not  scrimped  i» 
length,  but  two  inches  longer  than  I  would  measure,  and  from  two  to  three 
inches  wider  than  is  commonly  made  for  a  person  of  my  breadth  and  size,  and 
deep  enough  to  place  me  on  a  little  comfortable  cotton  bed  with  a  good  suitable 
piQow  for  size  and  quality;  my  body  dressed  in  my  Temple  clothing  and  laid 
nicely  into  my  coffin,  and  the  coffin  to  have  the  appearance  that  if  I  wanted  tp 
turn  a  little  to  the  right  or  to  the  left  I  should  have  plenty  of  room  to  do  so;  the 
lid  can  be  made  crowning. 

At  my  interment  I  wish  all  of  my  famUy  present  that  can  be  conveniently, 
and  the  male  members  wear  no  crape  on  their  hats  or  their  coats;  the  females  to 
buy  no  black  bonnets,  nor  black  dresses,  nor  black  veils;  but  if  they  have  them, 
they  are  at  liberty  to  wear  them.  The  services  may  be  permitted,  as  singing  an^ 
a  prayer  offered,  and  if  any  of  my  friends  wish  to  say  a  few  words,  and  really 
desire,  do  so;  and  when  they  have  closed  their  services,  take  my  remains  on  a 
bier  and  repair  to  the  little  burying  ground  which  I  have  reserved  on  my  lot 
east  of  the  White  House  on  the  htU,  and  in  the  southeast  corner  of  this  lot  have 
a  vault  built  of  mason  work  large  enough  to  receive  my  coffin,  and  that  may  bp 
placed  in  a  box  if  they  choose,  made  of  the  same  materials  as  the  coffin — red- 
wood. Then  place  flat  rocks  over  the  vault  sufficiently  large  to  cover  it,  that 
the  earth  may  be  placed  over  it — nice,  fine,  dry  earth — to  cover  it  untU  the  walls 
of  the  little  cemetery  are  reared,  which  will  leave  me  in  the  southeast  corner. 
This  vault  ought  to  be  roofed  over  with  some  kind  of  a  temporary  roof.  There 
let  my  earthly  house  or  tabernacle  rest  in  peace  and  have  a  good  s  leep  until  the 
morning  of  the  first  resurrection;  no  crying,  nor  mourning  with  any  one  that  X 
have  done  my  work  faithfully  and  in  good  faith. 

I  wish  this  to  be  read  at  the  funeral,  providing,  that  if  I  should  die  anywhere 
in  the  Mountains,  I  desire  the  above  directions  respecting  my  place  of  burial  to 
be  observed;  but  if  I  should  live  to  go  back  with  the  Church,  to  Jackson  County, 
I  wish  to  be  buried  there. 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 
President  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints. 
Sunday,  November  9th,  1873.    Salt  Lake  City,  Utah  Territory. 


OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM  YOUNG.  25 


If  there  ever  is  an  occasion,  brethren  and  sisters,  when  words  are  too 
feeble  to  express  the  emotions  of  the  human  heart,  it  is  one  like  the  pres- 
ent. This  is  a  time  of  mourning,  not  a  time  of  speaking.  Still  we  would 
not  be  doing  justice  to  our  feelings,  nor  to  the  memory  of  our  great  leader^ 
if  we  did  not  give  some  utterance  to  the  feelings  that  oppress  our  hearts. 

I  have  never  in  my  life  contemplated  the  death  of  President  Young 
with  the  calmness  that  I  have  since  it  occurred;^  and  I  have  wondered  at 
myself  It  is  true  it  has  been  exceedingly  difficult  for  me  to  control  my 
feelings,  to  keep  from  breaking  down ;  but  there  has  been  a  calmness,  a 
serenity,  a  peace  connected  with  his  death,  his  departure  from  our  midst, 
that  I  think  all  have  felt  who  have  come  in  contact  with  him.  His  de- 
parture was  like  the  falling  asleep  of  a  little  infant.  No  tremor,  no  con- 
tortions; but  as  peaceful  and  as  quiet,  as  still  as  if  it  were  indeed  the 
most  gentle  slumber.  I  have  often  heard  President  Young  speak  about 
death ;  and  when  I  saw  him  depart  I  felt  that  the  great  wish  of  his  heart 
had  at  last  been  granted  unto  him.  Naturally  he  was  a  man  of  indomi- 
table courage,  of  an  unyielding  will ;  and  he  could  not  submit  even  to 
the  conqueror  Death  without  struggling  against  him.  This  was  charac- 
teristic of  his  nature.  But  his  natural  feelings,  as  I  have  often  heard  him 
remark,  and  I  think  he  has  expressed  the  same  in  public  several  times, 
were  that  he  should  hail  the  day  of  his  release  from  his  mortal  existence 
as  the  happiest  day  of  his  life.  Whenever  it  should  be  the  good  pleasure 
of  our  Father  in  heaven  to  call  him  hence,  he  would  go,  he  said,  with 
great  pleasure  and  satisfaction.  But  as  I  have  said,  as  long  as  life  re- 
mained, as  long  as  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  stay  here,  he  would  struggle,  he 
would  contend  for  life,  he  would  not  yield ;  but  would  endeavor  to  fulfill 
the  mission  which  our  Father  in  heaven  assigned  unto  him. 

It  is  only  a  few  weeks  ago,  when  conversing  with  one  of  the  Twelve, 
I  remarked  that  I  would  be  afraid,  if  it  were  not  for  one  thing,  that  Pres- 
ident Young  was  not  going  to  remain  long  with  us.  He  was  so  hurried, 
was  so  urged  in  his  feelings  concerning  the  organization  of  the  people ; 
pressing  matters  forward,  anxious  to  get  the  Priesthood  organized  and 
the  Stakes  everywhere  set  in  order.  He  released  all  of  the  Twelve  from 
presiding  over  local  places:  Brother  C.  C.Rich,  Brother  Brigham,  junior* 
Brother  Lorenzo  Snow  and  Brother  Franklin  D.  Richards,  in  the  North; 
Brother  Orson. Hyde  and  Brother  Erastus  Snow  in  the  South;  ^U  were 
released  from  presiding  over  the  Stakes  of  Zion,  and  were  told  by  the 
President  that  their  mission  had  a  larger  field  than  a  Stake  of  Zion.  He 
set  the  Priesthood  in  order  as  it  has  never  before  been  since  the  first  orga- 
nization of  the  Church  upon  the  earth.  He  defined  the  duties  of  the* 
Apostles,  he  defined  the  duties  of  the  Seventies,  he  defined  the  duties  of 
the  High  Priests,  the  duties  of  the  Elders  and  those  of  the  lesser  Priest- 
hood, with  plainness  and  distinctness  and  power — the  power  ol  God — in  a 


-:iO 
26  OBSEQUIES  OP  PRESIDENT  BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 

way  that  it  is  left  on  record  in  such  unmistakable  language  that  no  one 
need  err  who  has  the  spirit  of  God  resting  down  upon  him.  And  when 
contemplating  the  organization  of  the  Church  as  it  is,  we  can  testify  to 
the  goodness  of  our  God,  and  we  can  feel  to  accord  to  him  all  praise  for  giv- 
ing unto  us  so  great  and  so  good  and  exalted  a  character  as  our  beloved 
Brother  Brigham  whose  remains  now  lie  before  us.  His  value  has  not 
been  properly  estimated  By  the  Latter-day  Saints.  There  are  none  of  us 
who  will  not  feel  this  more  and  more  in  the  future.  To-day,  now  that  we 
have  lost  him,  we  can  examine  our  conduct,  and  the  wish  will  arise  that 
we  had  been  more  obedient,  more  willing  to  observe  his  counsels  and  pay 
him  that  respect  and  reverence  which  his  great  qualities  as  a  prophet  and 
leader  deserved.  This  we  can  do,  even  though  we  have  been  faithful  and 
obedient.  The  time  will  come  when  the  Latter-day  Sa,^nts  will  appreci- 
ate him  as  one  of  the  greatest  prophets  that  ever  lived.  I  have  been 
much  with  him.  I  look  upon  this  association  as  the  greatest  privilege  of 
my  life,  to  have  heard  his  counsels  and  to  witness  his  life  as  I  have.  And 
in  contemplating  that  life,  it  seems  to  me  perfect :  In  my  eyes  and  to  my 
feelings  he  was  as  perfect  a  man  as  could  be  in  mortality.  He  certainly 
never  uttered  any  counsel  or  gave  any  instruction  or  taught  any  doctrine 
which  I  did  not  endorse  with  all  my  heart.  This  I  believe  to  be  the  case 
with  thousands  upon  thousands  of  the  Latter-day  Saints,  notwithstanding 
our  laxity  in  doing  the  will  of  God  in  all  things  as  we  should  have  done. 
On  Tuesday  night,  as  I  sat  at  the  head  of  his  bed  and  thought  of  his 
death,  if  it  should  occur,  I  recoiled  from  the  contemplation  of  the  view. 
It  seemed  to  me  that  he  was  indispensable.  What  could  we  do  without 
him  ?  He  has  been  the  brain,  the  eye,  the  ear,  the  mouth  and  hand  for 
the  entire  people  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints. 
From  the  g;reatest  details  connected  with  the  organization  of  this  Church 
down  to  the  smallest  minutiae  connected  with  the  work,  he  has  left  upon 
it  the  impress  of  his  great  mind.  From  the  organization  of  the  Church, 
and  the  construction  of  Temples  ;  the  building  of  Tabernacles ;  from  the 
creation  of  a  Provisional  State  government  and  a  Territorial  gevernment, 
down  to  the  small  matter  of  directing  the  shape  of  these  seats  upon  which 
we  sit  this  day  ;  upon  all  these  things,  as  well  as  upon  all  the  settlements 
of  the  Territory,  the  impress  of  his  genius  is  apparent.  Nothing  was  too 
small  ^r  his  mind ;  nothing  was  too  large.  His  mind  was  of  that  charac- 
ter that  it  could  grasp  the  greatest  subjects,  and  yet  it  had  the  capacity 
to  descend  to  the  minutest  details.  This  was  evident  in  all  his  counsels 
and  associations  with  the  Saints  ;  he  had  the  power,  that  wonderful  facul- 
,ty  which  God  gave  him  and  with  which  he  was  inspired.  And  while  I 
was  thus  thinking  of  all  this,  it  seemed  as  though  we  could  not  spare  him, 
he  was  indispensable  to  this  great  work.  And  while  I  felt  it,  it  seemed  as 
though  a  voice  said,  "  I  am  God ;  this  is  my  work ;  it  is  I  who  build  it  up 


OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG.  ^7 

and  carry  it  forward ;  it  is  my  business  to  guide  my  Saint^."  He  is  our 
Father  and  God ;  he  is  the  Leader,  he  cannot  die ;  he  is  beyond  the  sha^s 
of  the  adversary.  And  he  will  guide  and  direct  his  people,  if  they  will 
listen  to  his  counsels,  from  thi^  time  forward,  until  they  are  led  into, His 
celestial  kingdom. 

And  that  we  may  remember  our  great  earthly  leader,  and  treasure 
up  his  teachings,  his  counsels,  and  instructions  and  that  we  may  follow 
the  glorious  example  he  has  set  us  in  his  devotion  to  the  work,  in  his  self; 
abnegation  in  putting  away  everything  that  would  interfere  with  the  fiil- 
filment  and  perfect  performance  of  his  duties,  as  Latter-day  Saints,  is  my 
prayer  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.    Amen. 

''     •  ELDER  JOHN  TAYLOR."  "  "^''  -^"^  MiBqsh 

.  ,. ;  To-day  is  a  solemn  day  for  Israel.  We  have  before. us  the  bpdy  ,Qf 
the  man  who  has  led  us  for  the  last  thirty-three  years.  Thirty-three 
years  ago  I  was  with  and  witnessed  the  departure  of  our  first  President, 
Joseph  Smith.  He  passed  away  under  very  difierent  circumstances  to 
those  which  have  surrounded  President  Brigham  Young  in  his  last  hours. 
Immured  in  prison,  surrounded  by  enemies  who  sought  his  life,  and  attacked 
by  a  ruthless  mob,  savage  and  relentless,  they  took  away  his  life,  and  he  died 
by  the  hand  and  in  the  midst  of  vindictive  and  blood  thirsty  foes,  who 
in  the  absence  of  legal  ofiense,  surcharged  j^ith,  jde^ijly  Y^nofliji,o^us  ,  hat<^, 

clamored  for  his  blood.  ,     ^        -^..^t  if<^Sf{w  -  -!i.?d)  o-rfj -o;rr 

President  Young,  after  leading  the  Church,  and  bufieting  the  trials 
and  persecutions  to  which  the  Church  has  ever  been  subjected,  has  at 
length,  in  these  valleys  of  the  mountains,  after  having  accomplished  the 
object  of  his  life  and  done  the  work  that  has  been  represented  here  so 
truthfully  by  our  brethren  who  have  spoken,  lain  down  to  sleep  in 
the  midst  of  a  loving  and  affectionate  family  and  surrounded  by  faithful 
and  tried  friends ;  with  hosts  of  associations  that  were  loving,  sympa- 
thetic and  interesting,  who  breathed  nothing  but  condolence,  kindness 
and  blessings,  and  throughout  the  Territory  the  people  as  with  one  voice 
offered  up  their  prayers  to  the  Most  High  in  b^h^.  q^  th^ir  suffering, 
dying  President.  ,,J  ,_,,.>  \.  ,,.,,|, 

Both  of  these  presidents  had  the  faith  and  confidence  of  the  Saints 
of  the  Most  High,  and  the  guidance  and  direction  of  the  Lord.  And 
the  feelings  of  the  people  as  exhibited  here,  the  gathering  together  of  this 
Priesthood  and  the  Saints  which  I  gee  before  me  to-day,  is  evidence  of  the 
respect  and  kindness  that  beat  in  every  heart  and  throb  through  every 
pulse;  and  it  is  gratifying  to  know  that  the  same  feelings  prevail 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  this  Territory.  As  has  been  said, 
his  name  and  his  fame  are  known  among  all  people,  and  a  knowledge  of 
these  events  has  spread  to  the  uttermost  bounds  of  the  everlasting  hills. 


28  OBSEQUIES  OF  PRESIDENT  BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 

All  nations  have  heard  of  it,  and  all  peoples  are  interested  in  these  events 
that  are  now  surrounding  us.  Not  only  us  and  them  but  the  Gods  in  the 
eternal  worlds.  The  former  President,  Joseph  Smith,  and  this  our  late 
President,  Brigham  Young,  meet  again  face  to  face  in  the  eternal  worlds. 
Both  have  triumphed,  both  have  overcome. 

As  has  been  remarked,  the  work  we  are  engaged  in  is  not  the  work 
of  man.  Joseph  Smith  did  not  originate  it,  neither  did  Brigham  Young, 
nor  the  Twelve  nor  any  mortal  man.  It  emanated  from  God,  he  is  its 
author,  his  eye  is  over  us,  he  is  watching  every  movement  and  every 
transaction  that  transpires  now,  and  that  has  transpired  ever  since  the 
commencement,  and  will  continue  so  to  do ;  he  will  guide  the  ship  to  the 
latter  end.  It  is  he  that  has  been  our  Grand  Leader,  these  others  now 
departed  have  been  our  brethren,  appointed  to  lead  and  guide  us,,  under 
His  direction,  in  the  paths  of  life.  And  although  we  mourn  the  loss  of 
our  departed  friend,  a  brother  and  a  president,  and  although  the  feelings 
of  our  hearts  sympathize  with  his  family  and  friends,  yet  at  the  same 
time  there  are  principles  greater  and  grander  than  any  personal  interest, 
or  any  individuality  associated  with  these  matters.  It  is  a  heavenly  in- 
terest, the  building  up  of  Zion,  the  establishment  of  the  Kingdom  of 
God  and  the  rolling  forth  of  his  purposes  upon  the  earth.  And  while 
Brother  Joseph  and  Brother  Brigham  sleep,  yet  both  of  them  live,  and 
both  of  them,  as  they  operated  in  time,  will  operate  in  eternity  in  behalf 
of  the  whole  of  Israel  and  the  consummation  of  our  Father's  purposes. 
These  are  things  in  which  the  Gods  are  interested ;  and  all  the  priest- 
hood, and  apostles  and  prophets  and  men  of  God  that  have  ever  breathed, 
are  also  interested  with  us. 

And  it  is  for  us,  as  Latter-day  Saints,  now  to  magnify  our  calling 
and  our  priesthood,  honoring  our  God  by  performing  faithftilly  and  well 
the  duties  devolving  upon  us,  that  as  the  changing  scenes  we  are  antici- 
pating shall  come  upon  all  nations — revolutions  succeeding  revolutions, 
we  may  have  a  steady  onward  movement,  guided  by  the  Lord ;  that  we 
may  progress  and  steady  affairs  among  his  people  and  provide  a  refuge  for 
the  distressed  among  the  contending  nations ;  that  the  light,  intelligence 
and  power  of  God  may  be  in  our  midst,  that  Zion  may  arise  and  shine, 
and  the  glory  of  God  rest  upon  her. 

I  do  not  wish  to  prolong  the  time ;  but  felt  like  making  a  few  remarks. 
To  the  family  of  President  Young  I  say,  "  God  bless  you !  The  God  of 
heaven  comfort  your  hearts !  May  peace  flow  unto  you,  and  may  you  be 
led  in  the  paths  of  life,  and  imitate  the  example  of  your  departed  hus- 
band, father  and  friend !  And  you  Latter-day  Saints,  follow  in  his  foot- 
steps, in  the  paths  of  righteousness.  Let  us  obey  all  of  God's  laws,  and 
all  will  be  well  with  us.  We  are  not  alone !  God  is  with  us,  and  he  will 
continue  with  us  from  this  time  henceforth  and  for  ever.     And  while  we 


OBSEQUIES  OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG. 


i 


mourn  a  good  and  great  man  dead,  I  see  thousands  of  staunch  and  faith- 
ful ones  around  me  and  before  me  who  are  for  Israel,  for  God  and  his 
kingdom  ;  men  who  are  desirous  to  see  his  will  done  on  earth,  as  angels 
do  it  in  heaven. 

That  God  may  bless  us  all,  and  lead  us  in  the  paths  of  life,  is  my 
prayer  in  the  name  of  Jesus,    Amen. 

i:.^;/-V^ ■■  -  .. 

The  following  funeral  hymn,  composed  for  the  occasion,  words  by 

Brother  Charles   W.  Penrose,  music  by  Brother  George  Careless,  was 

sung  by  the  choir : 

'  Death  gathers  up  thick  clouds  of  gloom 

And  wounds  the  soul  with  anguish  deep. 
Gaunt  sorrow  sits  upon  the  tomb, 
And  round  the  grave  dense  shadows  creep. 

But  Faith  beams  down  from  God's  fair  skies 
And  bids  the  clouds  and  shades  begone. 
We  gaiae  with  brightened,  tear-dryed  eyes 
And  lo!  there  stands  The  Holy  One! 

"The  Resurection and  the  Ldfe."        r      yg^^r  .  ., 
What  hope  and  joy  that  title  bringsl      '  '^     ^     ". 
Death's  but  a  myth  with  horrors  rife,       '  '  "     ' 
And  flees  before  the  King  of  Kings. 

r 

Then  shall  we  mourn  and  weep  to  day 
Because  our  Chief  has  gone  to  rest? 
He  slumbers  not  in  that  cold  clay, 
He  lives  ahd  moves  among  the  blest. 

We  lose  a  leading  Master  Mind, 
But  spirit  hosts  behind  the  vail 
New  strength  and  added  wisdom  find, 
To  make  our  mutual  work  prevail: 

Hosannas  greet  his  entrance  there, 
And  Joseph  waits  with  words  of  praise, 
While  here  sad  thousands  bow  in  prayer. 
And  funeral  notes  in  grief  we  raise. 

Farewell,  dear  brother  Brigham  Young.  .    .^i  r 

God  called  thee  through  th'  eternal  gate. 
Thy  fame  shall  dwell  on  every  tongue, 
And  Saints  thy  worth  will  emtdate. 

Thy  work  on  earth  was  nobly  done. 
And  peace  smUes  sweetly  on  thee  now. 
The  crown  celestial  thou  has  won, 
In  splendor  waits  to  deck  thy  brow. 

Elder  Cannon  gave  instructions  in  regard  to  the  procession. 


30  OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 

,  ,  The  benediction  was  pronounced,  as  follows,  by 

■Mini-  ELDER   ORSON  HYDE. 

"'  Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven,  in  the  name  of  thy  Son  Jeeus  Christ, 
we  tender  unto  thee  the  gratitude  of  our  hearts  for  the  peaceful  influence 
that  has  pervaded  our  hearts  on  the  present  occasion.  We  thank  thee 
for  this  lovely  day  and  the  sun  that  shines  so  brightly  over  our  heads, 
while  the  earth  is  illuminated  with  a  grand  display  of  thy  glory. 

We,  our  Father,  in  solemn  assembly,  have  met  to  pay  our  last  re- 
spects unto  our  departed  friend  and  brother,  President  Brigham  Young. 
We  ask  thee,  O  Lord  our  God,  to  seal  the  instructions  upon  our  hearts 
and  may  the  words  which  have  fallen  from  the  lips  of  thy  servants  on 
this  occasion  find  place  in  the  hearts  of  the  honest  and  the  upright,  those 
who  desire  eternal  life  in  thy  kingdom,  .-.rv^  jiii  i,,, 

Grant,  Heavenly  Father,  to  comfort  the  family  of  thy  servant  that 
has  left  us;  may  they  find  favor  with  thee;  may  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
breathe  upon  them,  and  bring  them  the  balm  of  joy  and  comfort,  opening 
wide  the  door  for  immortality  and  a  glorious  re-union  with  him  in  a  time 
yet  to  come. 

Bless,  we  pray,  all  the  Saints  here  assembled ;  let  thy  good  spirit  rest 
upon  all — that  we  may  feel  to  renew  our  energies  and  that  we  may  form 
renewed  determinations  to  serve  and  honor  the  Lord  our  God,  and  to 
carry  out  the  instructions  we  have  heard  this  day,  and  not  only  on  this 
occasion,  but  on  former  occasions,  that  we  may  become  moulded  and 
fashioned  unto  thine  image  and  likeness ;  that  when  the  time  comes  when 
we  shall  be  called  hence,  we  may  be  prepared  and  qualified  to  mingle  our 
voices  and  join  with  those  who  have  gone  before  us ;  where  we  can  behold 
our  leaders  and  join  with  them  in  songs  of  praise  to  God  and  the  Lamb. 
We  beseech  thee,  our  Father,  to  let  thy  blessing  rest  down  upon  this  at- 
tentive assembly,  and  upon  the  Priesthood  here  assembled.  And  while 
we  contemplate  that  probably  only  one  tenth  of  the  people  of  this  region 
are  here  assembled,  we  pray  that  our  friends  may  be  inspired  with  the 
spirit  of  intelligence  to  extend  the  same  to  all  that  are  not  present  on  this 
occasion.  i  . 

O  Lord,  our  God,  bless  thy  people;  confound  everything  opposed  to 
them ;  and  let  the  truth  prevail,  let  Zion  arise  and  let  her  light  shine  like 
the  rising  sun,  that  she  may  fill  the  whole  earth. 

We  ask  thee,  our  Father,  to  remember  those  also  that  have  not  yet 
joined  the  Saints  of  the  Most  High ;  remember  them  in  kindness  that 
they  may  be  induced  to  abandon  their  hostility,  and  finally  be  brought 
into  alliance  with  thy  Church,  that  they  too  may  ascribe  honor  and  praise 
to  God  and  the  Lamb.  And  let  thy  blessing  rest  upon  all.  Forgive  our 
sins ;  gui<Jej]|is  bj^  th^  good  spirit  in  the  ways  of  life. 


OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG.  31 

We  are  thankful,  our  Father,  that  thy  servant  who  has  gone  before 
us  is  one  that  has  fought  a  good  fight,  finished  his  course,  and  kept  the 
fiiith^  Help  us  all  to  do  likewise,  and  thy  name  shall  have  the  honor 
ah<i  glory,  both  now  and  forever.     Amen. 

''  The  congregation  then  passed  out,  with  the  exception  of  those  to 
take  part  in  the  procession.  While  the  latter  was  forming  the  organ  and 
orchestra  performed  "  The  Dead  March, "  the  choir  singing,  in  harmony, 
"  Unveil  thy  Bosom,  Faithful  Tomb." 

THE       PROCESSION. 

Tenth  Ward  Band. 

Glee  Club. 

Tabernacle  Choir. 

Press  Reporters. 

Salt  Lake  City  Council. 

President  Young's  Employes. 

President  Joseph  Young,  Bishop  Phineas  H.  Young,  Bishop  Lorenzo  D. 

Young  and  Elder  Edward  Young.     (President  Brigham 

Young's  Brothers.) 

THE  BODY, 

Blorne  by  Clerks  and  Workmen  of  Deceased,  with  nine  'of  the  Twelve 

;;    i  .         Apostles  and  the  Presiding  Bishop  as  Pall  Bearers. 
■'"'' Immediately  following  the  body,  the   Counselors   of  President 

Brigham  Young. 

The  Family  and  Relatives. 

Patriarch  of  the  Church.  ^ 

First  Seven  Presidents  of  the  Seventies. 

■         Presidency  and  High  Council  of  Salt  Lake  Stake  of  Zion. 

Visiting  Presidents,  their  Counselors  and  the  High  Councils  of  Various 

Stakes  of  Zion. 

Bishops  and  their  Counselors. 

HQgh  Priests. 

Elders. 

Lesser  Priesthood. 

^>jo,<-ji  Seventies. 

>^        '■=  The   General  Public. 

Ropes,  outside  of  which  dense  crowds  formed,  were  stretched  along 
the  line  of  the  procession  to  a  point  a  little  east  of  the  Eagle  Gate,  and 
all  the  eminences  in  view  of  the  route  were  filled  with  spectators,  inariy 
of  whom  could  not  refrain  from  tears. 

President  Brigham  Young's  private  cemetary  is  situated  east  of  the 
White  House  and  immediately  north  of  Brother  Le  Grand  Young's  resi- 


32  OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BRIGHAM   YOUNG. 

denee.  It  is  in  an  unfinislied  condition,  at  present,  but  is  surrounded 
mth  a  rock  wall  and  so  arranged  that  it  may  be  terraced.  It  commands 
a  splendid  view  of  the  city  and  the  valley  south  and  west.  In  the  south- 
east corner  of  this  burial  ground  a  stone  vault  had  been  made  under  the 
personal  superintendence  of  President  John  W.  Young,  and  in  strict  ac- 
cordance with  his  departed  father's  instructions,  of  cut  stone,  dowelled 
and  bolted  with  steel.  Its  dimensions  are  7  feet  11  inches  long,  4  feet 
wide  and  3  feet  3  inches  high.  It  is  laid  in  cement  and  the  inside  is  ce- 
mented and  whitened. 

Here  the  remains  of  our  revered  President  were  deposited,  the  vault 
being  surrounded  by  his  wives,  children,  grandchildren,  great-grandchil- 
dren, his  venerable  brothers,  his  Counselors,  all  of  the  Twelve  but  two, 
and  a  grand  congregation  of  those  holding  the  priesthood. 

The  Glee  Club,  led  by  Brother  C.  J.  Thomas  sang,  very  sweetly,  "  O 
My  Father,  Thou  that  dwellest,"  to  the  tune  of  "  Haydn's." 

The  following  Dedicatory  Prayer  was  offei  ed  by 

ELDER  WILFORD  WOODRUFF. 

O  God,  our  Eternal  Father,  we  present  ourselves  before  thee,  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  say  that  we  have  committed  to  this  tomb  the 
tabernacle  of  thy  servant  President  Brigham  Young,  and  before  closing 
our  labors  and  services  and  duties  towards  him,  we  wish  to  dedicate  unto 
thee  this  vault,  with  all  its  contents  and  surroundings.  In  the  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  by  authority  of  the  holy  [priesthood  and 
apostleship,  we  dedicate  this  ground  and  this  vault  with  all  the  materials 
of  which  it  is  composed,  that  it  may  be  holy  unto  the  Lord  our  God. 
We  dedicate  this  coffin,  and  the  box  which  contains  it,  that  it  may  be 
holy  unto  the  Lord  our  God.  We  also  dedicate  the  body  itself,  the  tab- 
bernacle  of  thy  servant,  unto  the  Lord  our  God,  that  it  may  be  holy  unto 
thee.  And  we  pray  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  that  this  body  may  sleep 
here  in  peace  a  few  days,  until  the  time  shall  come  when  by  the  power  of 
God  and  the  keys  of  the  resurrection,  it  shall  come  forth  clothed  with 
glory,  immortality  and  eternal  lives,  with  crowns,  kingdoms,  principalities 
and  powers,  as  they  have  been  and  will  be  appointed  unto  him.  Yes,  our 
Father,  this  same  tabernacle,  which  has  borne  the  burden  and  heat  of  the 
day,  which  has  borne  testimony  through  its  life  of  the  establishment  of 
the  kingdom  of  God,  preached  the  gospel  of  Christ  and  performed  its 
work  faithfully,  this  mortal  body  which  has  suffered  pain  and  sickness, 
persecution  and  death^  may  it  then  arise' in  glory  and  power  to  attain  to 
its  throne,  clothed  in  glory  and  immortality,  in  connection  with  Abraham, 
Isaac  and  Jacob  and  the  prophets,  and  all  the  holy  men  who  shall  then 
Judge  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth,  even  those  who  have  lived  in  his  day 


OBSEQUIES  OF  PRESIDENT  BRIGHAM  YOUNG.  33 

and  generation,  to  whom  he  has  been  faithful  in  bearing  testimony  of  thy 
word  and  work. 

All  these  things,  our  Father,  we  dedicate  to  thee  and  thy  safe  keep- 
ing in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  pray  that  we,  with  him,  may  be  pre- 
pared in  the  morning  of  the  first  resurrection,  and  that  we  may  be  with 
him  in  the  family  organization  that  shall  be  organized  in  the  celestial 
world,  and  that  we  may  be  prepared  to  receive  those  keys  and  blessings 
which  have  been  promised  through  the  priesthood  and  gospel  of  the  Son 
of  God.  We  dedicate  all  pertaining  unto  this  place,  this  burial  ground 
and  all  its  surroundings,  unto  the  Lord  our  God. 

We  thank  thee,  our  Father,  that  thou  hast  revealed  unto  us  that 
power  and  principle  of  the  resurrection  by  which  the  pain,  the  sting  and 
power  of  death  are  all  taken  away.  For  all  these  things,  our  Father,  we 
praise  thee ;  and  pray  that  this  dedication,  in  all  its  parts,  may  be  ac- 
ceptable in  thy  sight ;  and  that  these  blessings  may  rest  down  upon  the 
family,  the  wives,  sons  and  daughters  of  thy  servant  Brigham,  which 
mercies  and  favors  we  ask,  dedicating  all  unto  thee,  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  our  Kedeemer.    Amen. 

The  followers  and  thousands  of  spectators  then  passed  by  and  viewed 
the  coffin  in  its  last  resting  place  after  the  family  had  taken  their  final 
farewell  and,  "  in  a  new  tomb,  hewn  out  of  the  rock,  in  which  no  man 
had  lain,"  the  body  of  one  of  the  greatest  men,  and  mightiest  servants  of 
the  Lord  who  ever  figured  in  the  flesh  was  securely  covered,  to 
rest  until  the  Christ  whom  he  lived  to  serve  shall  call  him  from  the  dead. 

Thus  was  concluded  the  grandest  and  most  impressive  funeral  it  was 
ever  our  lot  to  witness.  There  was  a  calmness,  a  serenity  and  a  peaceful 
influence  throughout  the  whole  ceremonies  which  forbade  confusion,  and 
dispelled  intense  grief.  Li  that  vast  congregation  in  the  Tabernacle, 
scarcely  a  sound  was  heard  but  the  speakers'  voices  or  the  notes  of  the 
singers  and  the  instruments.  Order  was  preserved  until  the  close,  and 
the  two  hundred  special  officers  who  acted  in  conjunction  with  the  regu- 
lar force,  and  who  were  courteous  and  gentlemanly,  had  no  difficulty  ij> 
maintaining  that  decorum  which  was  a  marked  feature  of  the  whole  pro- 
ceedings. 

The  President's  wishes  being  fulfilled  in  regard  to  his  remains, 
we  have  now  to  turn  our  attention  to  the  carrying  out  qf  his  inspired 
teachings  in  relation  to  the  great  latter-day  work  to  which  he  devoted  his 
life.  Farewell,  beloved  President  Brigham  Young  until  the  time  when 
we  shall  meet  thee  behind  the  vail,  or  on  the  great  and  glad  day  when  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness  shall  shed  His  glory  on  the  resurrection  morn,  and 
thou  shalt  come  forth  in  thy  royal  robes  to  reign  eternally  as  a  King  and 
Priest  unto  God  and  the  Lamb ! 
c 


84  OBSEQUIES  OF  PRESIDENT  BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 

[From  the  Deseret  Evening  News,  August  31,  1877.] 
RESPECT     AND     CONDOLENCE 


-.'/»; 
.\-.: 


In.  pursuance  with  a  call  by  Mayor  Little,  a  special  meeting  of  the 
City  Council  was  held  last  evening,  to  make  fitting  expression  in  relation 
to  the  decease  of  President  Brigham  Young,  late  member  of  that  body. 
The  Mayor,  who  presided,  in  his  official  capacity,  feelingly  announced  the 
demise  of  the  President,  and  explained  the  object  of  the  meeting. 

On  motion,  a  committee,  composed  of  Aldermen  John  Sharp  and  A. 
H.  Raleigh  and  Councilors  George  Reynolds,  T>.  O.  Calder  and  John  R. 
Winder,  was  appointed  to  draft  and  present  appropriate  resolutions. 

Their  report,  which  was  received  and  adopted,  was  ordered  spread 
upon  the  minutes  of  the  Council.  It  was  also  ordered,  on  motion,  that 
the  preamble  and  resolution  be  published  in  the  Deseret  News  and  Salt 
Lake  Herald^  and  that  a  copy  be  engrossed  and  presented  to  the  family 
of  the  deceased.  39ti  j  r ; a .   •  • 

It  was  resolved,  as  a  further  manifestation  of  love  and  esteem  for  the 
departed,  that  the  members  of  the  Council  attend  the  funeral,  next  Sun- 
day, in  a  body. 

Herewith  we  give  the  official  copy  of  the 

PREAMBLE  AND   RESOLUTION 

Adopted  by  the  Gty  Council  of  Salt  Lake  City,  at  a  special  meeting 
held  Thursday  evening,  Augiist  30th,  1877— 

Whereas,  President  Brigham  Young,  our  most  distinguished  and 
illustrious  fellow-citizen,  and  a  member  of  this  Council,  in  the  providence 
of  Almighty  God  has  departed  this  life ;  and. 

Whereas,  The  death  of  so  eminent  and  so  good  a  citizen,  leader  and 
member  of  our  community,  is  a  calamity  so  great  that  the  mind  seems  in- 
adequate to  grasp,  or  language  express,  the  extent  of  the  loss  that  this 
lamentable  event  has  brought  so  suddenly  upon  us ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  while  we  mingle  our  tears  and  condole  with  each 
other  in  this  sad  bereavement,  we  tender  this  token  of  respect  and  love  to 
the  one  we  mourn,  and  express  our  deep  sympathy  with  his  family  and 
friends  in  the  overwhelming  affliction  which  has  befallen  us  all. 

Feramorz  Little,  Mayor. 
John  T.  Caine,  City  Recorder. 


Territory  op  Utah,  | 

Salt  Lake  City.     J®*®* 
This  certifies  that  the  foregoing  is  a  true   copy  of  "  Preamble  and 
Resolution"  adopted  by  the  City  Council  of  Salt  Lake  City,  at  a  special 


OBSEQUIES   OF   PRESIDENT   BEIGHAM   YOUNG.  35 

meeting  held  on  the  30th  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1877,  as  appears  of  record 
in  my  office. 

As  witness  my  hand  and  the  corporate  seal  of  Salt 
Lake  City,  this  31st  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1877. 

John  T.  Caine,  City  Recorder. 


{.,.} 


[From  the  Deseret  Evening  News,  September  4th,  1877.] 

RESOLUTIONS  OF  RESPECT  TO    THE    LATE   PRESI- 
DENT BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  .Directors  of  the  Deseret  National  Bank,  Salt 
Lake  City,  September  4th,  1 877,  President  Wm.  H  Hooper  in  the  chair, 
the  following  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

We,  the  officers  of  the  Deseret  National  Bank,  realizing  the  loss  sus- 
tained by  this  corporation  and  the  community  at  large,  in  the  death  of 
our  beloved  associate  and  friend.  President  Brigham  Young,  who  departed 
this  life  on  the  29th  day  of  August,  1877,  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of 
his  age,  hereby  desire  to  express  our  deep  sense  of  the  great  worth  and 
superlative  qualities  of  the  revered  deceased.     Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  in  President  Brigham  Young  we  recognize  a  wise 
counselor,  a  financial  genius,  and  a  master  mind. 

That  during  the  many  years  he  has  been  a  Director  of  this  Institu- 
tion, part  of  which  time  he  was  its  President,  having  been  associated  with 
us  from  its  inception,  he  has  invariably  exhibited  such  qualities  of  head 
and  heart  as  have  secured  the  respect,  esteem  and  affection  of  all  its  officers. 

That  in  his  death  we  are  deprived  of  a  most  valuable  Director  and 
adviser  whose  absence  will  be  sadly  missed  from  our  official  deliberations. 

That  we  deeply  sympathize  with  his  bereaved  family,  and  condole 
with  the  whole  community,  who  mourn  the  departure  of  a  mighty  leader 
and  one  of  the  great  spirits  of  our  age  and  race. 

That  we  bow  in  submission  to  the  decrees  of  Providence,  while  we 
lament  the  sad  event  which  has  deprived  us  of  so  valuable  a  co-laborer. 

That  these  Resolutions  be  spread  upon  the  minutes  of  the  Board, 
and  that  copies  be  furnished  to  the  family  of  the  deceased,  and  to  the 
Deseret  News  and  Salt  Lake  Herald  for  publication.  \ 

By  order  of  the  Board  of  Directors. 

W.  H.  Hooper,  President. 


